The home crowd exploded when native son George Sotiropoulos took the decision over former #1 contender Joe Stevenson.
The biggest name Australian fighter on the card, George Sotiropoulos faced Joe Stevenson in a lightweight battle with real implications for the rankings and title picture. Both fighters came out swinging With Sotiropoulos having a reach advantage he controlled ranged before shooting for a take down. Stevenson fought it off before trying an ill-advised throw that landed him on his back. Sotiropoulos quickly passed to 1/2 guard and threatened to pass to mount. Stevenson worked to sweep him but Sotiropoulos fought them off. There was an elaborate series of rolls and counter rolls that ended back in Stevenson's guard. Joe Daddy then threatened with an arm triangle from the bottom before getting mounted with a minute left. Sotiropoulos attacked from the back then moved to north-south and worked for a kimura then a straight arm bar before the round ended.
Stevenson came out landing strikes but Sotiropoulos began to land with strikes of his own, usually as counters. Soon Sotiropoulos was landing with impunity, to the head and body. Stevenson then shot in, got top position and slammed the Aussie to the ground. Sotiropoulos got rubber guard then went for an omaplata sweep that took a while but ultimately rolled Stevenson. Stevenson then reversed positions and was again in the Aussie's guard, fending off an arm bar. Then Stevenson dropped back for an ankle lock at the end of the round. Sotiropoulos rolled out and then ended the round with Stevenson's neck trapped in a choke hold without enough time to finish.
In the final round, Sotiropoulos came out swinging, forcing the Yank back. Then Sotiropoulos went for a single leg and got Stevenson down after fending off a guillotine. Another tough grappling exchange saw the Aussie end up on top. Then back on the feet, Sotiropoulos tagged and hurt Stevenson. Sotiropoulos went for a head scissors or crucifix and ended up on his back with Stevenson working on top. Stevenson fought off an up kick then got reversed. But Joe Daddy got top control again. But the Aussie worked from a very high guard.