George is a product of The Ultimate Fighter Season Six where he lost to the runner-up of that season, Thomas Speer (13-4) in the semi-finals. Since then George has gone 4-0 in the UFC and looks to keep that streak alive against Joe Stevenson.

Joe Stevenson worked his way into the number one contender spot and in January of 2008 at UFC 80 he got his chance to try and dethrone Fighters.com and UFC lightweight champion “The Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1). He lost that fight in a what was one of the bloodiest fights ever in the Octagon. Since then he has gone 3-2 with losses to tenth-ranked “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3)  and seventh-ranked “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4).

He has changed camps and is now with Greg Jackson in an attempt to get back to the top of the division.The problem he has is George is a fighter that is hungry and has the skills to go very far.

Sotiropoulos is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and was also an amateur boxer in Australia where he won the Victoria State Amateur Boxing Title. George has trained at some great gyms like Xtreme Couture, Serra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 10th Planet. He is currently back with his striking coach, Leonard Gabriel at a Purebred affiliate, Fisticuffs Gym.

Joe will have to try and deal with the ever improving stand up of George to start out with. If that was not enough, Joe’s bread and butter is his wrestling and George is a slick submission fighter.

This fight is one George must win in order to advance to the next tier of fighters in the division and to keep himself on the televised portion of the UFC pay-per-view. I believe a victory here keeps him the spotlight and the casual UFC fan will take notice. George is not as experienced as Joe Stevenson is but I feel he is more well rounded and that this fight is a bad match-up for Stevenson. The only way I see Joe Stevenson winning this fight is by grinding out a decision using his wrestling. However in doing that he will need to avoid the submissions of Sotiropoulus.

George will win this fight putting him in the spotlight and many fans will witness for the first time the man I believe that can give BJ Penn a run for his money.

Joe said “It is awesome that people are starting to talk about me maybe fighting for the title again. But I don’t want it whisper in the wind that I maybe get a title shot. I want to keep on winning, and winning big, so the fans are like ‘Give Joe Daddy his second title shot already!’ I was asked by BJ if I wanted to train with him for this fight but, as great as would be, I had to say no because I think I am going to be fighting him again at the end of the year.”

So he could have trained with BJ for the fight with Edgar while he was preparing to fight George Sotiropoulos (11-2) at UFC 110. Instead he believes he will get another title shot. Joe, how do you see that happening?

Maybe the UFC has told him something we do not know but since his utter destruction at the hands of Penn at UFC: 80 he has posted a 3-2 record inside the Octagon. This is not a record that gets you a title shot. Especially when there are other fighters waiting in the wings for that shot he feels he is going to get.

Many believe the man that should be fighting BJ Penn at UFC 112 is sitting on the sidelines waiting and will more than likely get the next shot. “The Bully” Gray Maynard (9-0) is that fighter and he will be watching closely as BJ faces off against Edgar. Of course Gray could get passed over yet again depending on what happens during Ultimate Fight Night 21 on March 31.

The main event of that night will pit “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4) versus “The Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6). Kenny has faced BJ once before at UFC 101 and lost. This will be Gomi’s first fight in the UFC coming over from Japan. Gomi has also fought BJ Penn and lost. This was back in 2003 at Rumble on the Rock 4 where Gomi lost in the third round due to rear naked choke.

The Gomi fight with Florian could be a tune up fight with a fighter I am now considering the gate-keeper to BJ’s title. I don’t see Florian getting another shot anytime soon but would not be shocked to see Gomi get a second crack at beating BJ if he can find a way to finish Florian in devastating fashion.

That gives us two fighters that could possibly be in line for a shot well before Joe Stevenson. I don’t see anyway he gets a second chance before the end of the year. I am not sure he will see a shot anytime soon.

He was beaten and bloodied by BJ during their fight and he would have to do something extraordinary in order to get back there. Joe should have taken the chance to train with BJ, learn some things and use that as motivation to get another shot in a year or more. Bad move Daddy!

Florian had been publicly denying the rumors, but the Fighters.com reported last week that the matchup was inevitable.

In November 2008, Florian told Fighters.com, “I would love to [fight lightweights from Japan].  You know, there are so many great lightweights out there.  There’s a ton in the UFC already; so, it’s not like it’s not competitive right now.  But definitely, I’m always looking for new and exciting fighters to compete against; and, definitely there’s a lot over in Japan, and I’d love to be able to compete.  I just want to keep competing against the best and whether they’re in Japan or in the United States, then that’s great.”

After losing his second title shot to Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1) at UFC 101 in Philadelphia August 8, Florian is focused on cementing his legacy.  Bagging a Gomi is more for historical posterity than contemporary competition.

Gomi has won consecutive fights, most recently a unanimous decision over “Lionheart” Tony Hervey (11-6) at Vale Tudo Japan in Tokyo October 30.  But, he’s also suffered recent losses to Sergei Goliaev (9-6) at Sengoku in November 2008 and Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) at Sengoku in January 2009.  And, Gomi had even hinted recently that he was considering retiring from fighting to focus on surfing.

The matchup is expected to be the card’s main event.

MMA Junkie also reports that The Ultimate Fighter 9 lightweight champ “Real Deal” Ross Pearson (15-5-1) will fight at UFC Fight Night 21.

Pearson of England beat American Aaron Riley (28-12-1) by doctor’s stoppage at 4:38 of round two UFC 105 at M.E.N. Arena in Manchester Saturday.

His opponent is not yet known.

In November 2008, Florian told Fighters.com, “I would love to [fight lightweights from Japan].  You know, there are so many great lightweights out there.  There’s a ton in the UFC already; so, it’s not like it’s not competitive right now.  But definitely, I’m always looking for new and exciting fighters to compete against; and, definitely there’s a lot over in Japan, and I’d love to be able to compete.  I just want to keep competing against the best and whether they’re in Japan or in the United States, then that’s great.”

But, the UFC has chosen to build lightweight talent domestically and from within the organization rather than sign already established fighters from abroad.  Fifth-ranked “Bully” Gray Maynard (9-0) and sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1) are the best examples of American fighters who have come to prominence with the UFC.

But, earlier this month the UFC brought some fresh blood and established foreign talent to the division with the signing of Gomi.  It’s an interesting choice for the UFC because, though Gomi is an established name as the long-running PRIDE champion, he’s suffered losses to Sergei Goliaev (9-6) at Sengoku in November 2008 and Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) at Sengoku in January 2009.  And, Gomi had even hinted recently that he was considering retiring from fighting to focus on surfing.

But, Wednesday Florian’s brother and head coach, Keith, told MMA Weekly, “I think Gomi would be a great fight for Kenny. He’s one of those people who was No. 1 in the world for a long time, and I think that would be a great fight for us.”

After losing his second title shot to Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1) at UFC 101 in Philadelphia August 8, Florian is focused on cementing his legacy.  Bagging a Gomi is more for historical posterity than contemporary competition.

Florian could also matchup versus Maynard, and Keith told MMA Weekly, “I think Gray Maynard would be a great fight with Kenny’s new wrestling, and we can still expose those tools that Firas [Zihabi] has, he has Olympic level wrestlers, and we could form a really nice strategy against him.”

It seems Maynard is being skipped over for a title shot again by UFC President Dana White in favor of Edgar.

Diaz won the original exhibition match and eventually the TUF 5 championship.  But, Maynard has bullied ahead of Diaz since TUF 5, with big decision victories of UFC contenders sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1) and “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1).

With vengeance tonight versus Diaz, Maynard will have proven himself as the top contender in the UFC’s 155-pound division and will deserve a title fight versus Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1).

In fact, Maynard deserved the title shot over Penn’s last challenger ninth-ranked “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3).  Penn stopped Sanchez in the fourth round at UFC 107 in Memphis December 12.  It was never a competitive contest, primarily because Sanchez hadn’t put in the work in the division to earn the fight.

But, Fighters.com worries recent UFC signee “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) might take Maynard’s shot even if Maynard wins versus Diaz for the same reason Sanchez did.  Gomi is a bigger name, despite his recent disappointing performances.

Gomi is the type of fighter UFC President Dana White would crack jokes about if Gomi wasn’t now a UFC fighter.  Since reigning as PRIDE lightweight champion, Gomi’s focus on fighting has been lax.  He’s lost consecutive fights to Sergei Goliaev (9-6) at Sengoku in November 2008 and Satoru Kitaoka (24-9-7) at Sengoku in January 2009 and has expressed desires to spend the rest of his years surfing rather than fighting.  He’s evidently changed his mine.  Even as PRIDE champion, he dodged losing his title in non-title losses to “Maximus” Marcus Aurélio (18-7) in 2006 and Nick Diaz (20-8) in 2007.  (The Diaz loss was later ruled a no contest by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after Diaz tested positive for marijuana.)  And, as PRIDE champion, his matchups followed the Japanese pattern of one legitimate contender, followed by one tomato can, and so on.  What’s disappointing about Gomi is that his losses to Aurélio and Goliaev were supposed to be his tomato can fights.

Fighters.com’s point is that, while Maynard has earned a title shot, Gomi should be required to earn a fight versus Penn.  Sanchez didn’t earn his title challenge and the result was an obviously unprepared Sanchez versus a particularly lethatl Penn.

Fighters.com January Lightweight Rankings

1. “Prodigy” BJ Penn (15-5-1)

2. “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4)

3. Eddie Alvarez (16-2)

4. “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7)

5. “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0)

6. “The Answer” Frank Edgar (11-1)

7. “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4)

8. “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)

9.  “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-3)

10. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

Sanchez has certainly fought in some of SpikeTV’s most memorable fights, including his most recent split decision victory over perennial gatekeeper “Carpenter” Clay Guida (25-10) at The Ultimate Fighter 9 finale in Las Vegas June 20.

But, UFC lightweights fifth-ranked “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0) and sixth-ranked “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1) are more deserving of a title shot, though admittedly less well-known to casual UFC fans.

Maynard won a split decision over another unranked, but popular UFC lightweight “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-3-1) at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City September 16.

Edgar will follow-up his unanimous decision over former UFC champ ninth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1) at UFC 98 in Las Vegas May 23 versus “Batman” Kurt Pellegrino (15-4) at The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale in Las Vegas December 5.

Diaz beats unrelenting, but beatable Guida and gets a title shot versus Penn.  Edgar beats the former champ Sherk and is notched down to fight Pellegrino.  Explain that…

Sherk was scheduled to fight Gleison Tibau (16-6) at UFC 104 in Los Angeles October 24, but withdrew with an injury.

Most recent UFC title challenger, seventh-ranked “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4), will swap opponents with Diaz when he fights Guida at UFC 107.

Meanwhile, across the Pacific second-ranked DREAM champ “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4) avenged his most recent loss in the division with an armbar submission of fourth-ranked “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7) at DREAM.11 in Yokohama October 6 and is already slated to defend his title from eighth-ranked “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2) at Dynamite!! 2009 north of Tokyo on New Year’s Eve.

Third-ranked Eddie Alvarez (16-2) and tenth-ranked Katsunori Kikuno (5-0-1) will fight at DREAM.12 in Osaka October 25 for the next DREAM title shot versus the winner of Aoki v Kawajiri.

Fighters.com’s October Lightweight Rankings

1. “Prodigy” BJ Penn (14-5-1)

2. “Tobikan Judan” Shinya Aoki (17-4)

3. Eddie Alvarez (16-2)

4. “Hellboy” Joachim Hansen (18-7)

5. “Bully” Gray Maynard (8-0)

6. “The Answer” Frank Edgar (10-1)

7. “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4)

8. “Crusher” Tatsuya Kawajiri (25-5-2)

9. “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1)

10. Katsunori Kikuno (5-0-1)

“These six athletes provide a strong, varied base for our first UFC series,” said Damon Lau, Round 5 co-owner. “There are established champions like Chuck Liddell and George St. Pierre, popular up-and comers like Rashad Evans and Kenny Florian and guys like Clay Guida and Lyoto Machida who have loyal, growing followings.”

“We think fans will really connect to these collectibles through their detail and the enhanced packaging,” said Barron Lau, Round 5 co-owner. “We want them to feel that by owning a Round 5 figurine, they, in a sense, own a piece of that fighter.”

The UFC-themed packaging accompanying each figure will include action photos of each fighter’s most memorable moments and a short bio.

The fight card from Philadelphia includes:

“Prodigy” B.J. Penn (13-5-1) v “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-3) for the UFC lightweight strap

Fighters.com’s third-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (16-5) v UFC middleweight champ ““Spider” Anderson Silva (24-4) in 205-pound matchup

The Ultimate Fighter 7 champ Amir Sadollah (1-0) v John Hendricks (5-0)

“Cacharrao” Ricardo Almeida (10-3) v The Ultimate Fighter 3 champ “Spyder” Kendall Grove (10-5)

“Batman” Kurt Pellegrino (14-4) v “Dentist” Josh Neer (25-7-1)

Aaron Riley (27-11-1) v Shane Nelson (11-3)

“Doomsday” John Howard (11-3) v “Barn Cat” Tamdan McCrory (11-2)

Thales Leites (14-2) v “Legionarius” Alessio Sakara (13-7)

Dan Cramer (3-0) v Matt Riddle (2-0)

George Sotiropoulos (9-2) v George Roop (9-2)

“Indio” Danillo Villefort (7-2) v “Ox” Jesse Lennox (13-1)

Penn also made a good point! Thirty-three year old Florian challenged previous titlist “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-4-1) at UFC 64 in 2006, lasting all five grueling rounds, but dropping a unanimous decision.

In his defense, Florian offered, “I wasn’t training like a professional athlete.” Florian hasn’t lost since, winning six consecutive, five by stoppage, but none against first-tier competition like Sherk or Penn. “One of the most important things is to be honest with yourself and say, “Look at all these mistakes I made,’” Florian added.

And Penn acknowledged the improvements Florian has made: “Without a doubt I see a better fighter.”

At UFC 84 in 2008, Penn TKO’d the same Sherk in a one-sided beating. In the post-fight press conference, when it seemed Florian was Penn’s likely challenger for his new title, Penn matter of factly said he couldn’t get excited for a fight versus Florian. He considered himself in a different league and doesn’t seem any more impressed with Florian’s challenge today, saying his motivation to win has “got to be the previous fight. The whole GSP fiasco.”

Instead of defending his title from Florian, Penn challenged UFC welterweight champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (19-2) at UFC 94 last January in his “dream fight” and was TKO’d, but accused St. Pierre of greasing to slip passed Penn’s guard on the ground. Penn implicated Florian in his accusation, claiming Florian text messaged Penn’s business associate Dave Weintraub before the fight, “Watch out! St. Pierre is a greaser. Good luck!”

Florian admits wishing Penn good luck via text to Weintraub, but denies accusing St. Pierre of greasing and claims he was talking about his own opponent at the time “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-2-1).

“So, you were wishing me good luck and, ‘Oh, by the way, Huerta is a greaser!’” Penn retorted on the conference call. He added, “I didn’t like when Kenny lied. I don’t know how I get caught up in this stuff. [UFC President Dana White] goes and talks about stuff he doesn’t know about, tells people I’m surrounded by yes-men. But, these are small things. I’m just trying go out and defend my title and walk out of the cage the 155-pound champion.”

Florian agreed he’s just focusing on what could be his final UFC title shot, though his distrations are compounded by fighting in Philadelphia, close to his native Boston.

“There’s just a huge craving from everyone here on the east coast to see more UFC events,” Florian described. And, when quizzed about ticket requests from friends and family, Florian said, “I just tell everybody to go to Ticketmaster.”

“I want to come out here and make a statement,” Florian announced after the fight.  “I want B.J.’s belt!”

UFC President Dana White had promised the winner a title shot versus UFC and Fighters.com’s Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” B.J. Penn (13-4-1).

For Florian, it’ll be his second shot at the UFC belt.  Florian lost a unanimous decision to fifth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-3-1) for the UFC title at UFC 64 in October 2006.

Florian started the action with a left low kick.  Both fighters were quick on their feet as they exchanged blows.  Florian caught Stevenson with a high kick; but, Stevenson stalked him after landing a few punches.

Stevenson pinned Florian to the cage, picked him up, and slammed him; but, Florian cushioned the impact by grabbing the fence, earning him a warning from the referee.

They got back up and separated.  Florian threw a couple of jabs and a high kick to the head; but, Stevenson advanced aggressively, putting on some pressure of his own.

Avoiding the clinch, Florian tripped Stevenson to the mat.  Passing Stevenson’s guard into full mount, Florian dropped fists into Stevenson’s face.  As Stevenson tried to avoid, he gave up his back.

“I just made a small mistake,” Stevenson admitted after the fight.  “I tried to come to my feet when I shouldn’t have, thought that I was going to be able to just come up.  He had a figure-four body lock.  That was a bad idea.”

Florian capitalized and sank in a tight rear naked choke.

“He made me pay for it,” said Stevenson.  “My fault.”