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George Sotiropoulos (born 9 July 1977) is an Australian mixed martial artist who is currently fighting in the UFC in the lightweight division. He is well known for appearing as a fighter on the TV show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, fighting on Team Serra.[1] Sotiropoulos holds notable wins over Joe Stevenson, Kurt Pellegrino, Joe Lauzon and Kyle Noke.
Mixed Martial Arts career
Background
Sotiropoulos began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1997. He was promoted to black belt in 2004. In 2003 and 2007, he represented Australia in the Submission Wrestling World Championships. He has also competed in amateur boxing, and in 2004, won a Victorian State Amateur boxing title.[2] Prior to his MMA career in the UFC, George Sotiropoulos trained with veteran UFC and Pride Fighting Championship fighter Enson Inoue. The two met during a winning bout Sotiropoulos had with Sergio Lourenço in Guam. He has remained affiliated with Enson Inoue's Purebred gyms throughout his career since then.[3][4][5]
Following his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra, Sotiropoulos moved to Long Island, NY to train at Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.[3][6] George Sotiropoulos then relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada and trained at Xtreme Couture. During this time period he also trained at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu with Eddie Bravo.[7] He relocated in 2009 and is currently training at an Enson Inoue Purebred affiliate, Fisticuffs Gym located in Vancouver, Washington.[8][9][10]
In a UFC published article spotlighting Sotiropoulos, he is quoted that the reason for the move was to train with his boxing coach, Leonard Gabriel.[11] In addition, Sotiropoulos trains his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Impact Jiu Jitsu in Beaverton, Oregon. There, his main training partners include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts and Grappler's Quest champions Michael Chapman, Keisuke Andrew and Armand Debruge.
His wrestling coach is former Wisconsin All-American wrestler Eric Jetton, a BJJ Black Belt who can be found cornering his fights.[12] Sotiropoulos is considered to be one of the best Australian fighters since Jeff Fenech. [13]
Early career
Sotiropoulos made his Mixed Martial Arts debut in 2004 against fellow Australian MMA fighter Gavin Murie, in which George was able to win via Armbar in the first round. He went on to win two more fights until his first career loss to Kyle Noke in 2005, one year later he was able to avenge his first loss by defeating Noke by Unanimous Decision. Sotiropoulos went on to have a 7-2 record in small MMA organizations, until he was invited to participate in The Ultimate Fighter in 2007.
The Ultimate Fighter
Sotiropoulos defeated Jared Rollins in the first round of the competition by KO. He went on to defeat Richie Hightower in the quarterfinals via submission due to a kimura. Sotiropoulos was then defeated by Tommy Speer in the semi-finals by knockout, shortly after an accidental thumb to the eye.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Sotiropoulos defeated Billy Miles at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra Finale via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:36 in round 1. Sotiropoulos defeated Roman Mitichyan at UFC Fight Night 13 on 2 April 2008 by TKO in the second round.
He was scheduled to fight Karo Parisyan at UFC 87, however Sotiropoulos was forced to withdraw due to injury. He was then to face Matt Grice at UFC Fight Night 17, but was again forced to withdraw due to injury.[14] After an 18 month break in his career, he switched weight classes, winning his 155 lb debut at UFC 101 on 8 August 2009 against George Roop. He showed his Jiu Jitsu skills and passed Roop's guard with ease, eventually getting the kimura lock in the second round; making Roop tap out.[15]
Sotiropoulos defeated Ultimate Fighter 9 alumni Jason Dent in the second round by armbar on 21 November 2009, at UFC 106.[16] In a post-fight interview following the win, Sotiropoulos stated his desire to compete at the UFC 110 card, in Sydney, Australia.[17] Sotiropoulos' wish was granted and faced Joe Stevenson on 21 February 2010 at UFC 110.[18]
Making his first appearance on the main card of a UFC pay-per-view event, Sotiropolous improved to 5–0 in the UFC as he defeated Joe Stevenson via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) in a dominant performance, prompting Dana White to say that Sotiropoulos was "in the mix" for a title shot.[19] The fight earned Sotiropoulos his first "Fight of the Night" award in the UFC.
Sotiropolous fought Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 116 in July 2010, and won by a commanding unanimous decision. Sotiropolous then faced Joe Lauzon on 20 November 2010 at UFC 123. Sotiropoulos survived a fast start by his opponent, thus gassing Lauzon in one round, and allowing George to dominate the next round, winning by kimura in the 2nd round in a bout that won Fight of the Night honors.[20] The win pushed Sotiropoulos to a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC and established him as one the top contenders for the UFC lightweight championship.
Sotiropoulos was defeated by Dennis Siver via unanimous decision at UFC 127.[21] Sotiropoulos was unable to take the fight to the ground and was forced to strike with the German kickboxing champion Siver.[22] The loss setback Sotiropoulos' chances of a title shot. [23]
Sotiropoulos was expected to face Evan Dunham on 2 July 2011 at UFC 132.[24] However, Dunham was forced out of the bout with an injury, and replaced by Rafael dos Anjos.[25] Sotiropoulos was knocked out just 59 seconds into the first round.
Personal life
Sotiropoulos has a Bachelor of Business in Banking & Finance, Associate Diploma of Business in International Trade from Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia.[26] Prior to competing in mixed martial arts, he worked in the finance industry.[27] George married his wife Cliona on 16 August 2009, in New York City. He currently resides in Vancouver, Washington.[28][29]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown [show]
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14-4 Brazil Rafael dos Anjos KO (punch) UFC 132 2 July 2011 1 0:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 14-3 Germany Dennis Siver Decision (unanimous) UFC 127 27 February 2011 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia
Win 14-2 United States Joe Lauzon Submission (kimura) UFC 123 20 November 2010 2 2:43 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Fight of the Night
Win 13-2 United States Kurt Pellegrino Decision (unanimous) UFC 116 3 July 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12-2 United States Joe Stevenson Decision (unanimous) UFC 110 21 February 2010 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia Fight of the Night
Win 11-2 United States Jason Dent Submission (armbar) UFC 106 21 November 2009 2 4:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10-2 United States George Roop Submission (kimura) UFC 101 8 August 2009 2 1:59 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Lightweight Debut
Win 9-2 Armenia Roman Mitichyan TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs Lauzon 2 April 2008 2 2:24 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 8-2 United States Billy Miles Submission (rear-naked choke) TUF 6 Finale 8 December 2007 1 1:36 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 7-2 South Korea Jung Hwan Cha Submission (armbar) Spirit MC 11: Invasion 22 April 2007 2 3:27 Seoul, South Korea
Loss 6-2 Japan Shinya Aoki DQ (groin strike) Shooto 14 October 2006 2 0:05 Yokohama, Japan
Win 6-1 Japan Shigetoshi Iwase Decision (unanimous) Kokoro: Kill Or Be Killed 15 August 2006 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 5-1 Australia Kyle Noke Decision (unanimous) Warriors Realm 5 25 February 2006 5 5:00 Sydney, Australia
Win 4-1 Brazil Sergio Lourenco Decision (unanimous) FFCF 5: Unleashed 27 January 2006 3 5:00 Mangilao, Guam
Loss 3-1 Australia Kyle Noke Decision (split) Warriors Realm 4 2 July 2005 3 5:00 Sydney, Australia
Win 3-0 Brazil Marcio Bittencourt Submission (rear-naked choke) K-1 Challenge 2004 Oceania vs World 18 December 2004 1 3:30 Gold Coast, Australia
Win 2-0 Australia Kelly Jacobs Submission (armbar) Warriors Realm 2 10 December 2004 1 4:12 Southport, Queensland
Win 1-0 Australia Gavin Murie Submission (armbar) XFC 6: Ultimate Fighting Returns 20 November 2004 1 1:28 Southport, Queensland
References
^ Meltzer, Dave (27 August 2007). "Participants in Ultimate Fighter season six are announced". Los Angeles Times.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
^ "George Sotriopoulos Official Website". Retrieved 28 November 2009.
^ a b "Interview: Enson Inoue & George Sotiropoulos (Part Two)". total-mma.com. 5 May 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "Interview: Enson Inoue & George Sotiropoulos (Part One)". total-mma.com. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "Purebred". Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academies on Long Island, New York".
^ "George Sotiropoulos Interview w/ 10th Planet Watch". 10thplanetwatch.com. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
^ "MMA figher Sotiropoulos plans move to Vancouver". columbian.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
^ "Purebred USA". purebredusa.com. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "Fisticuffs Gym".
^ "George Sotiropoulos: Straight To The Top". ufc.com date=2009-11-11. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/indepth/ufc-winning-fight-down-under/story-fn4swac0-1225902800200
^ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/indepth/ufc-winning-fight-down-under/story-fn4swac0-1225902800200
^ "George Sotiropoulos out, debuting Matt Veach in for UFC Fight Night 17". mmajunkie.com. 28 January 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "Rob Emerson out George Roop in vs. George Sotiropoulos at UFC 101". aroundtheoctagon.com. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "UFC 106 Jason Dent vs George Sotiropoulos: Dent vs Sotiropoulos UFC 106". Profighting-fans.com. Retrieved 16 September 2009.
^ "UFC 106 Win Helps Sotiropoulos Land on UFC 110 Card". mmafighting.com. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
^ "Joe Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos Planned for UFC 110 in Australia". mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
^ Dana White says title talk premature, but UFC 110's George Sotiropoulos "in the mix"
^ "George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon slated for UFC 123, title shot may loom". mmajunkie.com. 8 September 2010.
^ "George Sotiropoulos Gets His Wish, Faces Dennis Siver on the main card at UFC 127 in Sydney.". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
^ http://www.lowkick.com/UFC/Siver-Pulls-Off-An-Upset-12013
^ http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/boxing/noke-collects-790-a-second-by-choking-rival-into-submission-20110227-1ba2r.html?from=watoday_sb
^ "UFC 132: Evan Dunham vs George Sotiropoulos booked for Fourth of July weekend event". MMAmania.com. 17 March 2010.
^ "George Sotiropoulos to fight Brazilian star Rafael dos Anjos". heraldsun.com.au. 3 May 2011.
^ http://www.myspace.com/george_sotiropoulos
^ "Fighter Detail George Sotiropoulos". ufc.com. Retrieved 28 November 2009.[dead link]
^ "George Sotiropoulos gets married in New York City". BLOODYELBOW.com. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2009.
^ "Vancouver fighter set for ultimate challenge". Columbian.com. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-12.
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