UFC lightweight contender George Sotiropoulos (13-2) will face Joe Lauzon (18-5) at UFC 123 on Nov. 20 in Detroit, according to multiple media reports. A win for Sotiropoulos could earn him a shot at the title, according to MMAJunkie.com.
Sotiropoulos improved his UFC record to 6-0 with a decision win over Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 116. A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Sotiropoulos has won seven of his fights by submission.
Lauzon, meanwhile, is coming off of a dominant performance against Gabe Ruediger at UFC 118, where he finished the fight with a first-round armbar. With the win, Lauzon moved himself back up the lightweight ladder after a loss to Sam Stout. He also appeared fully healthy in the Octagon for the first time since undergoing knee injury after defeating Jeremy Stephens.
No! Fucking NO. Fucking stupid. This is fucking bullshit. I am sorry to cuss but this is exactly what’s wrong with MMA right now. Sotiropoulous should be AT THE VERY LEAST 2 fights away from a title shot. The thought of him overtaking Kenny, BJ, the loser of Gray and Frankie, Sherk, Dunham etc. without having to fight a single one of them is very disheartening. Don’t get me wrong George shows good stand up, and great Jits, but he’s shown those skills against guys who have always been gatekeepers in the LW division. I know Stevenson got a title shot, but anyone in there right mind knew there was no way he was going to win.
And all he has to do is beat a guy who lost to Sam Stout two fights ago…
Just because a fighter can beat someone does not mean he deserves the shot. Frankie Edgar flat out did not deserve the shot against Penn the first time. Dana said Gray didn’t look like he was ready and Frankie looked better in his last fight- OF FUCKING COURSE HE DID!- Gray fought a guy in Nate Diaz who is a solid solid guy and Franky fought Matt Veach. To take a phrase from sunday morning football: C’MOOON MAAAN!
I’m going a little bit crazy here so I am sorry for the rant. I just absolutely can’t stand overhype, and in my opinion ever since the Stevenson fight George has been the recipient of it. I even think George is a great fighter.
If George is one fight away from a title shot then he needs to fight the winner of Dunham-Sherk for the spot. Or fight BJ Penn. We’ll see how crazy everyone is about him when BJ puts him to sleep…
Are you implying that wins over four TUF castoffs, Stevenson and Pellegrino doesn’t qualify a fighter for a title shot?
Yes I am.(Although I am thinking there was some sarcasm to your statement!)
It just really grinds my gears(yeah family guy). To keep hearing about how great this guy looks. I mean yeah he looked “good” beating Joe and Kurt. But I wouldn’t call either of those fights dominations which the UFC tries to make them out as. He’s fought maybe one top 10 LW in Stevenson( and that is iffy), and now if he beats Joe Lauzon he gets a title shot. I mean come the fuck on.
+100 for properly reading sarcasm. You are a throw back to the days when people in America spoke English. Bravo!