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George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon in the Works for UFC 123

According to mmamania.com:

There's a fantastic lightweight match-up brewing between up-and-coming division prospects Joe Lauzon and George Sotiropoulos, as the Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veterans are currently in talks to throw down at the upcoming UFC 123 pay-per-view on Nov. 20 in Auburn Hills, MI.

MMAmania.com confirmed the pending match-up earlier today.
George Sotiropoulos (13-2)
Win Kurt Pellegrino - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 116
Win Joe Stevenson - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 110
Win Jason Dent - Submission (Armbar) UFC 106
Win George Roop - Submission (Kimura) UFC 101
Joe "J-Lau" Lauzon (19-5)
Win Gabe Ruediger - Submission (Armbar) UFC 118
Loss Sam Stout - Decision (Unanimous) UFC 108
Win Jeremy Stephens - Submission (Armbar) UFC FN 17
Win Kyle Bradley - TKO (Punches) UFC FN 15
It look's like the news from the Sydney Morning Herald of George Sotiropoulos possibly facing BJ Penn or Kenny Florian was incorrect.

Ufc_123_event_button_medium

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this is going to be good

"How do you shoot the devil in the back? What if you miss?"

by DamnSevern on Sep 8, 2010 10:07 AM EDT reply actions  

WOW

Going to be a sick fight for sure

-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.

by NetLogic on Sep 8, 2010 10:07 AM EDT reply actions  

sick fight

but does this give sot a title shot with a win?

We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!

by milk72 on Sep 8, 2010 10:08 AM EDT reply actions  

Fuck no.

Lauzon’s loss to Stout is way too fresh to let either guy have a title shot off of this win. Sot needs to go through a name like Maynard (or Edgar pending the outcome of that fight)/Penn/Florian before he’s getting a title shot.

"Sometimes hype just ain't enough." - Jens Pulver on his win over BJ Penn

by lowellthehammer on Sep 8, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions  

thats what i was thinking

but im kinda thinking sots gonna get it anyway if he wins, who else is more deserving?

We have a saying back home that if your coming on, COME ON!!!!

by milk72 on Sep 8, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

Why?

Why should the UFC squash potential contenders by putting them in against fighters who would be favored against them? If Maynard or Edgar were to face the winner and win, you’ve just completely snuffed out a potential contender for a fighter who’s already had his crack at the belt and probably doesn’t warrant another one so soon.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

The reason why is because decisioning 3-4 gatekeepers is not equivalent to beating one legitimate, proven talent and doesn’t lend itself to a good title fight. For evidence of this see your beloved GSP vs. Hardy.

"Sometimes hype just ain't enough." - Jens Pulver on his win over BJ Penn

by lowellthehammer on Sep 8, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions  

The champ needs to fight someone

And you can’t kill contenders having him fight someone who’s already had his crack and won’t gain anything from the victory. If you have to insist on another fight put him up against a Dunham or something, at least in that scenario you walk away with someone who can fight for the title regardless of who wins.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

This I agree with. Sot-Dunham would be great.

by SplitBreast on Sep 8, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

…so instead of having either prospect step up in competition to figure out where they rank in relation to the rest of the division, you’d rather have one eliminate the other and still have no idea where they fall in regards to the established upper tier? You’re right, that makes a ton of sense.

"Sometimes hype just ain't enough." - Jens Pulver on his win over BJ Penn

by lowellthehammer on Sep 8, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

It does make sense

It’s a legitimate number 1 contender fight where either guy can lay a legitimate claim to a title shot. You may burn one contender but you’re guaranteed of having someone to fight for the title. What happens if neither one can get by an Edgar or a Penn? Then you have no one to fight your champion. How does that make anymore sense?

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

Plus, if it’s a number one contender match, the loser doesn’t need many fights to get himself back into the running. This also sets up the possibility of a rematch.

"The common denominator of the Universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility, and murder."

"Opinionated weather forecasters telling me it's going to be a miserable day. Miserable to who? I quite like a bit of drizzle, so stick to the facts!"

"Shoot him again... his soul is still dancing!"

by Ephemeral Artery on Sep 8, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

Good point!

I think this fight would be a great one, but I certainly think that the UFC is prolonging Sot’s rise to contender status.

Semper Fi
PREDICTION for 2010-2011 NFL Season: "The England Patriots will finish 8-8 plus or minus 1" ~8/13/10 1230p

by ChicagoMarine on Sep 8, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

The problem is that this is not scripted

If Hardy fought Koscheck instead of Fitch (and Kos fought him instead of Rumble), then there’s a good chance that he would lose and we’d have nobody for GSP to fight.

With Swick-Hardy, a win by either would be good enough to grant a title shot (and by that I mean create an illusion that he has a chance).

You can’t make every contender go through the #2 or #3 guys, because then you’d have very few contenders. WW is a horrible division for making compelling high end matchups, because Fitch so clearly dominates everyone in the division except GSP, and GSP destroyed Fitch.

by Mint on Sep 8, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

Kos would take fight if they ever fought...

WW will be exciting again soon enough, once GSP disposes of Shields after Kos some of the new talent with high (and rising) level MMA Wrestling will be getting seasoned enough (Askren, Hendricks) to keep it entertaining…one of those guys will eventually displace GSP as he did Hughes, unless GSP moves up sooner rather than later.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Don't sleep on the hitman!

As far as i remember we haven’t seen Kampmann get neutralized by a wrestler, so Shields is not a lock to win this.

Don’t sleep on the other Hitman either…. Too many damn hitmen imo!

by Magaca on Sep 8, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree

Martin’s ground game seems to get contineously underestimated, and Shields, while formidable, does not posses nearly the sort of elite takedown ability that a GSP has – if Kampmann can stuff him, even some of the time, this could get ugly fast…

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Just to take my line of thinking further...

Say Maynard beats Edgar, then Edgar goes on to beat Sot. You’re now in a position where you have a champion who’s beat the seeming number 1 contender twice. You’ve got Penn who’s lost twice to the guy that the champion beat twice. You’ve got Florian who’s so far out of the title picture by that point he’s not even worth discussing as a contender. Maybe you have Dunham if he beats Sherk, but by your logic he should have to beat Edgar or Penn, two fighter who can’t get near the belt themselves.

Who does the champion fight in the interim? Do we put him on the shelf indefinitely just because of some insistence that Sot have to beat someone who already had his shot at the title?

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

Am I really supposed to take this seriously? Too many hypotheticals and variables to even bother. Suffice it to say that the answer to making things interesting in the division is not to give guys that have been fighting middle of the road competition a sudden boost to the top just because you’re afraid they won’t do well against the upper tier fighters. If that’s the case, they probably shouldn’t be fighting for the belt anyways.

"Sometimes hype just ain't enough." - Jens Pulver on his win over BJ Penn

by lowellthehammer on Sep 8, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

That's not at all what I'm saying

What I’m saying is don’t make number 1 contender fights where only one guy is going to get a title shot. Why should Maynard or Edgar be put back in a number 1 contender fight right after losing a title fight? How does that make any sense?

And cut the condescending crap please, we can have a discussion without resorting to being assholes.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

Support independent artists
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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

Possibly...

It depends on how the fight goes and who else wins. A win over Penn or Florian would have been way more impressive.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yes

If they think it’s better for the business.

I'm a lover not a fighter

by spectaa on Sep 8, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions  

great fight!

"How you expect to run with the wolves come night when you spend all day sparring with the puppies" - Omar Little

by The Omaplatapus on Sep 8, 2010 10:09 AM EDT reply actions  

however i thought Gsot was higher in the mix then this.

"How you expect to run with the wolves come night when you spend all day sparring with the puppies" - Omar Little

by The Omaplatapus on Sep 8, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

Great match making

However it looks to me like they’re doing their best to protect a G-Sot title shot in Sydney next winter, short of giving him a complete softball of a fight.

If J-Lau wins, where does this put him?

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

Support independent artists
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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:12 AM EDT reply actions  

I’d say he’d get an opportunity at a subsequent #1 contender fight. Possibly against the winner of Sherk/Dunham.

"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen

by Blackout612 on Sep 8, 2010 11:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Awesome fight

But does anyone else think that J-Lau has thus far gotten a pass on the competition he’s had to beat to get to where he is? Out of 5 UFC wins, two of the guys he’s beaten (J. Stephens and Ruediger) are still in the UFC. I mean, the guy lost to Sam Stout in his last fight, and now he’s fighting G-Sot who is coming off of 2 very high quality wins? Someone in the UFC is doing J-Lau some favors

"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye

by mburtoni on Sep 8, 2010 10:13 AM EDT reply actions  

Or doing so a favor…

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

Should be an epic fight.

But, I don’t want to see either of them lose. :(

by grein on Sep 8, 2010 10:14 AM EDT reply actions  

Me either.

I kinda wish they gave Lauzon another fight or two to build off of. I think Sot takes him here.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

I thought for sure we were gonna see Lauzon vs. Guida as the next UFN main event

but I guess this makes sense too

"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye

by mburtoni on Sep 8, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

The flip side

Is that if Lauzon wins it will catapult him right into the mix.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

Support independent artists
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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions  

This is true. I am a big Lauzon fan,

but I don’t really see him having an advantage on the feet or on the ground

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

my sentiments exactly

although i’m hoping he can pull this one out. where does that leave BJ though? and/or Florian? I was kinda hoping for a Sot/Florian fight but i’ll take this

by BeeTrain on Sep 8, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

Florian is in a bad spot right now

Tough to make fights for him, you don’t want to put him in with contenders simply because Kenny gains nothing and you burn a potential contender. I think Kenny is going to get a bit of a gimme in his next fight.

As for Penn… Gomi, Gomi, Gomi, Please Gomi…..

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

you thinking of someone like

Dos Anos for Kenny? if and when his jaw ever heals? terry etim?

by BeeTrain on Sep 8, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

Dos Anjos would be good, Etim maybe. Kenny’s really beaten a large portion of the division so it’s tough to make fight for him right now.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

Support independent artists
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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions  

Ken Flo vs Guillard would be fun.

Good fight for both guys. If Kenny can get past him, then do Kenny vs Sherk and see if he has beefed up his wrestling.

If Kenny looses to Guillard, then Guillard truly has his shit together and is an exciting contender.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

This ^

Semper Fi
PREDICTION for 2010-2011 NFL Season: "The England Patriots will finish 8-8 plus or minus 1" ~8/13/10 1230p

by ChicagoMarine on Sep 8, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

C+ or better sub game> Guillard

(maybe Team Jackson can turn that around)

If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.

by DayGeaux on Sep 8, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

Guillard isn't easy to take down

Well, unless he gets sloppy. He has all the physical tools. If he gets past Stephens, I want to see what he can do against legit competition. He has looked good since joining team Jackson and he has been there for about a year now. I think Kenny would be a fun matchup.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

I hope he’s matured. Rich Clemente showed it’s not hard to get into Melvin’s head and make him mess up.

If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.

by DayGeaux on Sep 8, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

He got into his own head against Diaz

He was easily ahead on the cards before he got silly.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions  

Guillard had proven that time and time again.

That one sparked him to train with Jackson though.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

Jackson doesn't work miracles

"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-

by Neil Manich on Sep 8, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Tyson Griffin, Jim Miller, Nate Diaz, etc.

No shortage of credible opponents in the UFC LW Division for Florian. But obviously, he is not on the level of Maynard, Edgar or Penn.

by Tehachipi on Sep 8, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

Florian and BJ gotta rebuild

Neither guy should be fighting for a title in their next two or three fights. Fighting guys like Sherk, Stevenson, Gomi and Guida who aren’t in the title picture makes the most sense.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

This makes sense

Penn and Florian rebuilding. Let’ see some fresh storylines at the top of lightweight before the get the chance to reenter the picture.

by dribblebib on Sep 8, 2010 10:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I don't know

I think he’s the stronger, better athlete of the two and sometimes those physical advantages can make the world of difference.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

Support independent artists
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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions  

Sot is big and strong, he has old man strength.

Lauzon does seem quicker and more explosive though.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think Lauzon has the physical advantages

We’ll see if that can win him the fight but I definitely wouldn’t count him out of this fight by any stretch of the imagination.

"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.

Support independent artists
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by Worldisart on Sep 8, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

I won't completely count him out either. He is one of my favorite fighters,

but watching Stout beat him in such one sided fashion did take a little bit of the shine off. Will he be able to get Sot down? Will he be able to do what Stevenson and Pellegrino couldn’t? Will he be able to hold his own on the feet? I’m not sure.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

Jeez if talks of a Sot title in Aus are true, they’re really giving him an easy road. This has Sot by dominant top control written all over it.

We are One.

by shotokai_ on Sep 8, 2010 10:21 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Sot vs. Bj would have been great. I like J-lau, but I think he gets out-classed by George.

If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.

by DayGeaux on Sep 8, 2010 10:26 AM EDT reply actions  

Completely agree. It looks like they’re feeding Sot with Lauzon. I would’ve preferred to see Sot. fight Florian or BJ. I don’t see what Sot can get out of winning this fight. It’s a gimme fight for him and if he loses it’ll be a terrible blow.

"Girls are mean." Lisa Ward

by Keren on Sep 8, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

I look at it kind of like I did JDS-Nelso

At first I was like wtf, but upon reflection it made sense as an exciting, although likely one-sided fight. And, like with JDS, if he loses, he is not who we thought he was…

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions  

True, same goes for the upcoming Maia v. Grove fight.

I can’t imagine Maia losing that one, but if he does, Grove is shot to the top.

"Girls are mean." Lisa Ward

by Keren on Sep 8, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

This fights going to be nutty. But its a bit left field.

Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.

I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me". Good point there, after all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. Wouldn't change the fact I have to bum rides off of people.

by Sam Cupitt on Sep 8, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions  

Gonna be entertaining. WAR SOTIROPOULOS

by Magaca on Sep 8, 2010 10:42 AM EDT reply actions  

i got Creepy Joe by dominating UD. The hype train that George is on will be derailed.

by J smooth 420 on Sep 8, 2010 10:44 AM EDT reply actions  

Dude probably picked against him as far back as Stevenson and can’t get on board now.

"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen

by Blackout612 on Sep 8, 2010 11:18 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I don’t know if he’s better, but he is different.

Those guys are cookie cutter North American wrestler/BJJ hybrids.

Joe has a wacky grappling style that looks more like your typical Japanese grappler than what we are used to seeing in North America. He’s not afraid to drop for leglocks or go for flashy but dangerous moves like a fireman’s carry.

by Steve4192 on Sep 8, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wow

Rampage/Machida was enough to make me go, since it’s long been one of my dream fights, but they’re really stacking the deck it seems. Met Lauzon and he’s a very cool d00d, but I’ve been a Sotiropoulos supporter since day one. Future champ? I think so.

"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen

by Blackout612 on Sep 8, 2010 10:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Word. Soon George will be getting Puji Money!

we each must become like fishermen, and go out on to the dark ocean of mind, and let your nets down into that sea

by Barack Lesnar on Sep 8, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions  

Seems like a step down for Sot

either A) its an “easy” win so he can fight for the belt in Australia or B) Silva thinks a lot higher of JLau than we do.

http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/

by Cory Braiterman on Sep 8, 2010 10:51 AM EDT reply actions  

We? Do you have a midget in your pocket?

Lauzon is not an easy win for about anyone and many of us think Joe is a potential contender. A lauzon win wouldn’t surprise me at all.

That said, excellent fight.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think Lauzon is a potential contender but

I still think this is a slight step down for Sot. Then again, Penn and Florian are really the only steps up available and the UFC obviously has other plans for them.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I find the matchmaking a little strange, as in Sot is probably 1 win away from a shot, but Joe is only a couple away. Still, intriguing match up.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

And is it just me, or does the UFC seem more willing to pit their contenders against each other recently? May be out of necessity, but they seem to be putting together a lot more “eliminator” style fights.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

That I definitely agree with. Over the years, there has been a lot of talk about wanting the UFC to publish organizational rankings, and I always thought they surely had some system, though there is little reason to make it public.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

I suspect the same

Much like they simultaneously tracked Cain/Carwin/JDS at HW (although with the shallowness they couldn’t afford to burn one), and much like I thought Jones / Bader / Davis were being treated (not so apparently, unless their opinion of Bader is considerably less than the internets).

Jones I can somewhat understand, given his age, but I am still not sure why they are slow-tracking Sot though.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah. Just like Maynard and Edgar running in different brackets at the end.

Sot being unlikely to fight Dunham and Hardy getting a shot without fighting a true top guy. Condit and Kampmann probably won’t fight Fitch or Alves just in case. They also do a great job of keeping their options open at LHW, but that is an easy one because of the abundance of talent.

by truck on Sep 8, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

I agree

HW and MW, those are the areas where they have to protect guys, just to be able to put on credible title fights consistently.

I’m really interested to see how, after the current round of contender fights, they sort out the high level non-UFC guys (Askren and, to a lesser degree, Hieron) as well as the up-and-comers at WW (Hathaway, Pierce, Hendricks, Ellenberger and the like).

Its a deep division, but barring any rules changes only Askren and Hendricks look like viable threats (after 3-5 more fights each). Fun times at WW…

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think it comes down to

The UFC is going to give Penn somewhat of a gimme rather than risk a 3-loss streak at LW.

I would guess Florian gets something of a tune-up fight as well next, but if G-Sot wins this one I could see him getting Florian next. He hasn’t had a legit loss in over 5 years, including 6-0 in the UFC, at his age they better do something fairly quickly.

Has the date for Sydney been announced yet?

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

you really think JL is top UFC lightweight a couple wins away from the belt?

You and a couple other posters in this are the first I’ve seen to ever say that. Let’s see a string of wins longer than 3 and include competition stiffer than Kyle Bradley, Gabe Reudiger and Sam Stout. He’s got like… two top wins in his career, Pulver and Stephens. I want to see quite a lot more out of someone with ~25 career fights before I give him a shot at Edgar/Maynard/Penn/whoever has the belt 10 months from now. Sot is a big step up for him, just as JL is a step down for Sot.

http://mixedmartialartsblogger.wordpress.com/

by Cory Braiterman on Sep 10, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe it’s sleep deprivation, idk. But “is there a midget in your pocket” actually made me break out into laughter.

by seanerk88 on Sep 13, 2010 2:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Guida tweeted a few days ago that his next fight was a "big one"...

I was thinking Sotiropoulos, but given this news, I’m thinking it will be Guida-Gomi.

by Scott Haber on Sep 8, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions  

Hope not, I would like to see Gomi-BJ 2.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

Seems like a good fight, but one that doesn’t do much for Sot. If J-Lau wins it’ll boost him a bit though. I see Sot taking it without TOO much trouble. I’d rather see him fight Guida or somebody on that level though.

I’m hoping we get Florian/Guillard and Gomi/BJ II as all the fighters next fights.

by Kenny Wisdom on Sep 8, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions  

Am I the only one who thinks Guida may be overrated a bit? I like him and enjoy watching him fight, but his movement and hair flying around seem to be making him appear to be doing more/landing more, than he actually is.

I may be way off here, lol.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions  

i don’t think you’re way off, at all. Guida is relentless and gives guys fits, and we all know he can take a punch, but i don’t see him as a contender; ever. I’m curious to see who they’re going to put him (Guida) up against next though, b/c from what i’ve read, it’s supposed to be a big name fighter

by BeeTrain on Sep 8, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

Wonder if maybe it will be BJ?

I don’t think he is as technical as Edgar, but he could present some of the same quickness problems.

by BJJDenver on Sep 8, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

i was actually thinking the same thing. i don’t see clay ever taking BJ down though, or frustrating him as much as Frankie did. i envision a fight in which BJ destroys Guida on the feet and/or takes him down whenever he chooses to for sub attempt after sub attempt until clay taps.

by BeeTrain on Sep 8, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions  

Might be a good tune-up fight for BJ, although I don’t see Clay threatening him much – he is nowhere near as good as Edgar.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

You're not way off

Guida is a name, with a fanbase that stays through losses, although his fans don’t seem to be as vocal with the excuse making as those of BJ, Rampage, Griffin and the like.

It would be an exciting fight, and a better next choice IMO with Clay a wrestler. Clay and his 7-5 UFC record will never be more than a gatekeeper, but I guess Lauzon can be built back up if he loses.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

Another thing

People still like to discuss how UFC is missing a lot if the top lightweights, but the truth is, it’s just a mega deep division world wide. Look at all of the contention worthy match making going on in UFC’s 155. Shit is awesome.

"I'm gonna go after number one, whoever it is. If it's Anderson, or I gotta go up after the guys at 205, or go on a diet and go after Jose Aldo-- it doesn't matter." -Chael Sonnen

by Blackout612 on Sep 8, 2010 11:16 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

I don’t like this fight. The Florian and Penn rumors didn’t make much sense either, because a loss, Soto would leave UFC with a challenger that isn’t going to bring much new to the table. Dunham would have been the perfect fight, ,where they would have been sure of a legit challenger, or maybe even Gomi coming off the big knockout win. Even Jim Miller is closer to the top 10 in my opinion.

Lauzon v Etim/Griffin/Stevenson would have been a better fight.

by dpk875 on Sep 8, 2010 12:06 PM EDT reply actions  

I think people are sleeping on Lauzon here. Lauzon’s loss to Stout was his first fight after major knee surgery and he simply did not look like the same fighter. His destruction of Ruediger gave an indication that he has made a full recovery.

I think this is going to be a very close and very entertaining fight. I’d give a slight edge to Sot in BJJ and striking, but Lauzon has the edge in wrestling. It’s kind of a toss up who takes this.

by Niles on Sep 8, 2010 12:20 PM EDT reply actions  

I wanted Gomi-Sot

by TLow on Sep 8, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions  

i wanted sot/penn

would be such an epic fight on the feet or on the ground.

by kamachi on Sep 8, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

George should take this fight.

by KGW on Sep 8, 2010 12:54 PM EDT reply actions  

good fight but makes no sense

why is george taking a step down in competition? we all know joe is a great fighter but he doesn’t have the wins lately to justify fighting george. IMO george is a contender at 155 and should be fighting penn/florian.

by kamachi on Sep 8, 2010 1:02 PM EDT reply actions  

Penn and Florian need comeback fights, not top contender bouts. BJ is coming off 2 straight losses, and Kenny just got drubbed by Gray. Let them get an easier win before throwing them in there with Sot. Sounds like BJ may be getting Guida, which is a perfect comeback bout for him. Gomi would work too.

by IWillPartyHard on Sep 8, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

If all Dan Hardy had to do was beat Akihiro Gono, Rory Markham, Marcus Davis, and Mike Swick

To earn a title shot against GSP, then GSot should earn a title shot if he beats Lauzon. Not that I agree with it, but I don’t set the rules.

Mo Johnston is what John Schneider could be in 4 years.

by SSreporters on Sep 8, 2010 1:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Agreed, Sot is already much more deserving than Dan Hardy was.

by IWillPartyHard on Sep 8, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

I love the matchup

I think some are being to hard on Lauzon. Yes he lost to Stout but it was his first fight after a year long layoff from knee surgery. Ring rust is real. I also think it is still a step up from Stevenson and Pellegrino.

by swells2048 on Sep 8, 2010 1:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Agreed - it is at least no worse

Than a lateral…

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer

Haters are gonna hate and bitches are gonna bitch...

by BigDNotDallas on Sep 8, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Lauzon doesn’t deserve to fight Sotiro in my opinion. Sotiro is 1 fight away from as title shot whereas Lauzon is nowhere near.

Mir, Nightmare , Axe Murderer , Bones

by MMA-UK on Sep 8, 2010 1:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Who has George beaten that he is suddenly out of Joe’s league?

Nobody.

I like George, but let’s stop pretending that he has racked up a bunch of wins against highly ranked opponents. He has made his bones beating guys who are at about he same level as Joe Lauzon. Joe might not be a step up for George, but he sure as hell isn’t a step down.

by Steve4192 on Sep 8, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

It’s close but, I think I’d put Kurt Pellegrino and Joe Stevenson a step above Joe.

If you want to hear my opinion on Les Miles go to BJPenn.com.

by DayGeaux on Sep 8, 2010 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not me.

They’re all interchangeable IMO.

by Steve4192 on Sep 8, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think he meant Lauzon, Pellegrino and Stevenson are all interchangeable.

by Niles on Sep 8, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

i have nothing against joe i just really thought after the stevenson and pellegrino wins he would have got penn or florian next so i’m just gutted that he hasn’t.

Mir, Nightmare , Axe Murderer , Bones

by MMA-UK on Sep 8, 2010 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree

Lauzon doesn’t have any wins over anyone as good as Pellegrino and Stevenson. Those were quality, quality wins. Heck, Sotiro hasn’t lost in the UFC yet. Not sure why this fight is happening, I guess Lauzon is more popular or widely known.

by Clifford J on Sep 8, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

YES!!!!!! This is our chance for an Aussie Champ!!!

He is getting a pretty easy (ish) road to the title, i will admit, but i will love to see him fighting edgar or maynard for the title here. I dont think he should have to go through penn or florian but with a win over lauzon, 7 UFC victories cant be ignored, especially when they are trying to break into foreign markets.

by purplehazelett on Sep 8, 2010 7:40 PM EDT reply actions  

The problem with that plan is when he needs to beat Frankie to become champ because that is not happening.

Just Blog Guy - http://JustBlogGuy.wordpress.com/

by JustBlogGuy on Sep 9, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

Awesome matchmaking was hoping joe would get a rematch with kenny you know the fight where joe took several illegal elbows to the top of the head..then he lost to sam stout after coming off serious knee injury and almost submitted stout.. I think alot of people are over looking joe in this match. Either way should be a war

by mlzybaby on Sep 9, 2010 9:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

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