UFC 144: Takanori Gomi vs George Sotiropoulos announced for Feb. 26 in Japan
by Geno Mrosko on Nov 27, 2011 11:24 PM EST
in UFC News
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"The Fireball Kid" is headed back home.
That's because Takanori Gomi has been booked to get busy against jiu-jitsu ace George Sotiropoulos at UFC 144 on Feb. 26, 2012, from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
The promotion brought word of the pending match-up a short time ago.
Both fighters are looking to rebound from recent losses, particularly Gomi, who has been submitted in both of his last two outings against Clay Guida and Nate Diaz, respectively.
In fact, the Japanese import is just 1-3 inside the Octagon, which means it's time to live up to the hype or he may not be making the trip back to the U.S. early next year.
Sotiropoulos has also struggled greatly as of late, as he failed to win a single fight in his 2011 campaign after failing to lose a fight between 2007-2010.
In fact, he was knocking on the door to a title shot before running into Dennis Siver's fists back at UFC 127 in February. A follow up knockout loss to Rafael dos Anjos in under one minute at UFC 132 has his Octagon career in doubt.
A win over Gomi would certainly stave off the hounds ... for now.
UFC 144 will be headlined by a 155-pound title fight featuring Ben Henderson, fresh off his unanimous decision win over Clay Guida, taking on reigning lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. In addition, Jake Shields returns to action against Yoshihiro Akiyama, while Anthony Pettis and Joe Lauzon collide in what promises to be an exciting lightweight attraction.
For the latest UFC 144 news and notes be sure to check out our complete archive right here.
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Gomi can win this, If he stuffs the takedowns he can kill this overrated goofball.
Unfortunately he’s not gonna fight with logic
I buried Banago.
A. Silva
same overrated goofball that went 7 straight in the UFC...
including Joe Daddy and finishing Lauzon,… Derp
Don't be scared Gomi...
by ThatsHowIRoll on Nov 28, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions
Double derp
"What are you gonna do, hit him? No, that's a terrible idea, I'll tell you why.. it doesn't unbang your mom. "
by 10thDegreeWhiteBelt on Nov 28, 2011 1:23 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Triple Double fucking DERP
Chorongota: Alistair Overeem
scarnon: Brock Lesnar
Month of January sig and pic
Pro sig bet record: 3-3-0
U cant triple stamp a double stamp!
by UltimateHuggingChampionship on Nov 28, 2011 4:48 AM EST up reply actions
I'm Quading that derp and triple stamping that shit.
Short memories in the house. Forshame Lance Storm. You remind me of a friend of mine – Max Power – it’s uncanny….
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
- James M. Barrie
Derpest of derp
Long live the dragon!!!
by Octagon Brilliance on Nov 28, 2011 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
u know what you're right.
It’s not every day that Joe Lauzon loses in the 2nd round or Joe Stevenson gets outgrappled; I mean you know Kurt Pellegrino smacked that bitch around in the 3rd, then that boy submits the almighty Jason Dent. LMAO
I buried Banago.
A. Silva
I know I'm right...
And yeh it’s the same Joe Lauzon that just trucked Melvin Guillard, Joe Stevenson that is a black belt under Robert fuken Drysdale and once fought for the LW Title and Kurt Pellegrino that LOST the fight to Sotiropolous.
Way to form an argument though.
Don't be scared Gomi...
by ThatsHowIRoll on Nov 28, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions
Great fight
Gomi by tko in the second. Sprawl n brawl all day.
"In a sport dominated by wrestlers, a striker is the best." -Lesnar's striking coach
3-0-1 when it comes to sig bets
that would be great
maybe taking notes from the siver – soterouplouosouplus bout
I really hope they make the octogon canvas all white to change it up a bit and help make things stand out a bit more Zuffa owes japan a great event especially after renigging on the promise to keep pride going instead of giving up on it and closing it down which im sure was justified because of the mess of how it was run but still….show some respect and make little adjustments to please the crowd hell maybe bring in the ramp entrances for one event whats the big deal get the crazy woman JUST DO IT
Why do they keep giving him graplers??
Gomi pull this one out please
by rscott94 on Nov 27, 2011 11:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I know its kind of bogus cuz id love too see this guy fight another striker
pride and poise
by BO_knows_MMA on Nov 27, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, me too
It’s like they don’t want to give him a chance to get any momentum. They give some guys matches that fit their style and others can’t catch a break.
We're bitching about gomi not getting a break ?!?!
Are you fuckin kiddin me ? Sotiropolous was 8-0 and was told he still needed to win a few more to be a CONTENDER . So after going 8-0 they give him some real tough matchups and just like what always happens at this level you eventually lose .
Gomi is going to gas and George will choke him the fuck out with the absolute best ground game under 185lbs.
"10thDegreeWhiteBelt is my hero, Cain is over-rated, and I would bang Dos Santos' wife. GO REDSOX!"
by wooly shambler on Nov 28, 2011 1:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yea G-Sot’s ground game is no joke at all.
He absolutely tooled Lauzon, Joe Daddy, and Joe Lauzon on the ground. Hardly anyone can say that. G-Sot’s gotta have at least top 5 ground game at LW…
"best ground game under 185"?
Shinya aoki bro lol
by mguillardfan701 on Nov 28, 2011 1:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don’t know about that. Aoki has better subs, but I think G-Sot is probably better technically.
Melendez abused Aoki on the ground, I think G-Sot may be able to take Aoki, or at least it would be interesting.
Interesting that both are really two of the very few who employ Eddie Bravo techniques.
G Sot tooled Pellegrino , Lauzon, and Joe Daddy. Considering that Aoki got tooled by Melenez, it makes this at least debatable.
g sot already fought aoki and neutralized his ground game
he also kicked aoki in his little asian penis and got disqualified but again i think g sot has the best ground game under middleweight
-deeleesh and nutreesh-
by wooly shambler on Nov 28, 2011 1:59 AM EST up reply actions
THIS wooly - you know whats goin on....
Chorongota: Alistair Overeem
scarnon: Brock Lesnar
Month of January sig and pic
Pro sig bet record: 3-3-0
Sot’s guard passes are some of the best in MMA atm imo. He’s got a wicked top game for you too when he passes your guard. I would be interested to know who’s got the most guard passes to mount in the UFC, anyone know where those stats are kept I’m sure some site does…..I’m pretty sure if he’s not got the most he’s up there because he seems to pass to mount often in all of his fights. He made Joe L’s grappling skills look pathetic and he’s got an outstanding ground game. One thing though what is up with Sot’s old man body shape lol he is built like a eighty yr old with the hunched over shoulders and crooked back, what causes that?
Holy shit. That’s a great match up. Agreed. Gomi’s contention days have been long gone. Put Gomi against Stephens / Stout / Pettis.
Anyone who can bang, put em up against Gomi and expect fireworks. What’s Joe Silva doing?
Great call man I would love to see that fight…..someone hit up DW on twitter ASAP! lol He’s made a few fights from twitter and UG fan posts. Dana gets a ton of shit and sometimes rightfully so but you can’t say that guy does not love the fans do tons of shit for them and is the most accessible pres of any sports league/team ever not even a close second, and the guy works his ass off pushing MMA as a legit sport had it not been for him I really think MMA would be ten years behind being accepted by the majority than it is now….if not in a much worse state.
You’re crazy if you don’t think that Dana loves the hell out of this sport and much of what he’s done was to better MMA/UFC, we will agree to disagree my friend. I mean who doesn’t like money and want to earn as much as they can sure but ffs man he does not have to do half the shit he does to make that money, long list of stuff he does that does not put any money in his pocket. That said I don’t agree with a lot of the things he does and often how he treats fighters particularly when he reacts to petty drama but that does not mean I can’t appreciate all he’s done for this sport or that anyone else who does not agree with him can not also appreciate what he does either. It would be silly of us not to imo.
"lil Diaz" pounded Gomi on the feet and only took the sub because Gomi went to the ground. he would have easily finished him standing
"Why would I blow up the Chick-Fil-A it's fucking delicious"
by jakescissorhands on Nov 28, 2011 12:58 AM EST up reply actions
gomi make make a nice longshot if he goes for a 1st rnd tko, gomi can’t outskill George
"Did you know that if you mix equal parts
of gasoline and equal parts frozen orange juice
concentrate, you can make napalm?"
i'm biased as hell as a Melbourne boy
but i think George can out box and grapple Gomi. There’s always a punchers chance for Gomi and he can swing for the fences.
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
- James M. Barrie
Good fight
loser will probably get their walking papers. This card is getting more and more stacked each day
You think so?
Sotiropoulos was riding a 7 fight win streak in the UFC before losing to two legit guys in Siver and Dos Anjos. He’s a huge piece of the Australian market too. Even if he losses I see him getting another shot.
Gomi getting cut wouldn’t shock me.
by MeatballHero on Nov 28, 2011 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
GSot definitely ain’t getting cut. Not for a long time. Probably the most skilled fighter at LW… Just lacks explosiveness.
+1
"10thDegreeWhiteBelt is my hero, Cain is over-rated, and I would bang Dos Santos' wife. GO REDSOX!"
by wooly shambler on Nov 28, 2011 1:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah - and confidence in his hands to an extent. he sits back a lot ...
But he really does have good boxing. Gifted Dos anjos with his chin so i dont see him getting more confident with the hands…. KEEP THAT CHIN IN BOY!
Chorongota: Alistair Overeem
scarnon: Brock Lesnar
Month of January sig and pic
Pro sig bet record: 3-3-0
I think loser gets cut no matter their native country. Well maybe like you said I’d gsot loses he’ll get one more chance but that’s about it. I hope gomi takes this he is more exciting imo that sotiropoulos
by zesotheclown on Nov 28, 2011 10:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Seems like they just kept gomi around for this card in japan, which is a smart move but seems like a gift of he loses he is gone. If curious George loses they will probably give him the same gift and keep him around for the next Aussie card
by ToeLock6 on Nov 27, 2011 11:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Gomi can't seem to beat anybody anymore.
He looks amateur. It’s sad.
Why would G Sot get released if he losses he’s like 7-2 in the UFC, if Gomi losses he’ll be released.
Love Gomi but I don’t see him being the victor unless it’s old Goni, I didnt know his Jots was that bad and that he gasses so quickly.
"This is our friend, Tarman Got Him."
by Tarman Got Him on Nov 28, 2011 12:18 AM EST via mobile reply actions
this is a great fight.
George isn’t going anywhere. And I believe the ufc wants gomi to succeed.. he just is not a fit fighter for this win at all cost ufc."even if it might be degrading to ones appearance.
by letstalkmma on Nov 28, 2011 12:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions
So if G.Sot is fighting in Japan late Feb
when is the UFC coming back to Australia ? Coz the past 2 events have featured G.Sot and have been held in Feb. He won’t be ready to fight for a while after Feb 26.
Please don't get submitted Gomi, You're one of my favorite fighters
Gomi has a wrestling base and G-Sot has horrible takedowns. Fireball Kid maybe able to keep it standing and land a fireball on Sotiropoulos’s chin.
"When you believe in something and you're a good person...things happen" - Junior Dos Santos
by Elitex10x on Nov 28, 2011 1:33 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
that is such a gorgeous flurry
he lands the left and right hooks like a pendulum, swinging his body into both.
"Speaks well of a man to need a little something in this world. I wouldn't trust a man who could git through it cold sober."
--Harry Crews
GSot has wrestled a lot in his past... Dont let that Siver fight fool you he can use wrestling
Chorongota: Alistair Overeem
scarnon: Brock Lesnar
Month of January sig and pic
Pro sig bet record: 3-3-0
Gomi needs to get on that TrT and get his balls back
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
best Ground game below 185, Diaz.
NICK DIAZ.
As for Gomi, if he can Sprawl n’Brawl, he takes it. Possible in the 2nd, by TKO.
by The KO Kid on Nov 28, 2011 2:51 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I don’t know about that. G-Sot’s ground game is other worldly. I can’t remember Diaz ever destroying high level BJJ guys.
We are talking about Joe Lauzon and Kurt Pellegrino here. G-Sot made them both look like amateurs. Diaz subs off his back are probably better, but overall ground game? I’ll stick with G-Sot. Until we start seeing other guys really implementing Bravo’s guard game, he will continue to be on another level…
yep yep and a whole lot of this^^
Chorongota: Alistair Overeem
scarnon: Brock Lesnar
Month of January sig and pic
Pro sig bet record: 3-3-0
Nice addition to a great card.
I am flying over for this . . . short 9 hours . . . Sushi, Saki, Sumo, Samurai and of course, sucky sucky long time :-) ha ha sorry could not help the last one!
I am curious if the ufc will sell out or not
any guesses as to how the japanese people will take to the ufc?
Man...
Hate to see these guys fight each other. It’s either going to end badly for G-Sot with a KO or for Gomi with a submission. Would’ve loved to see G-Sot fight a wrestler and Gomi fight a striker instead. I figure striker vs. grappler matchups are for testing contenders, but they’re not that much fun for people on the brink.
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