Ahead of his headliner with Michael Bisping next week, UFC middleweight Cung Le recently recounted the circumstances that drove him first to the U.S. and then to martial arts.

Our partners at Shoot Media caught up with the veteran kickboxer as he prepares for his Aug. 23 bout at UFC Fight Night 48. The Le (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Bisping (24-6 MMA, 14-6 UFC) matchup, which streams on UFC Fight Pass, takes place at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena in Macau.

Check out the above video as the 42-year-old Le discusses his escape from a war-torn Vietnam and how the lack of a father figure influenced his decision to start wrestling, a move that would eventually lead him into a successful combat-sports career.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 48, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.