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Australian UFC lightweight contender George Sotiropoulos is climbing back into the cage.
The Geelong-native is scheduled to face K.J. Noons at UFC 166 in October, which will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Sotiropoulos was recently the coach of the Australian team on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. Last December, he suffered a third-round TKO loss to UK coach Ross Pearson at UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos versus Pearson, held on the Gold Coast.
Since then, he’s had a year out of the UFC scene and we’ll be looking forward to seeing him again come October.
In this interview, Sotiropoulos spoke with The Roar about his experiences on TUF, training for his upcoming bout and his thoughts on MMA in Australia.
The Roar: What have you been up to since December?
George Sotiropoulos: Well, I’ve been training. I had a couple of injuries that I had to deal with and obviously I’ve resolved them. I’m healthy and I’m back in action.
What was it like to fight at the Gold Coast?
GS: Obviously it wasn’t my day but the next one will be.
How would you describe your experiences as a TUF coach?
GS: It was a great experience. I enjoyed the challenge of coaching a lot of Australians to win that contract and one of them did and I was happy with the outcome.
Obviously I would have liked more of my guys to have won their fights but some of my lightweights were much smaller than the English opponents.
Our welterweights were physically well-matched. I think some of the British lightweights weren’t true lightweights.
Grant Blackler and one of my other guys were just too small for the weight class – they were one or two weight classes below the 155lbs class and the English guys were true 155lbs-ers.
So that disparity definitely made it disadvantageous for my guys as the scoreboard showed.
Which did you prefer on TUF – being a fighter or a coach?
GS: I enjoyed both. They both present different challenges.
As a fighter, you go on the show and you’re focused on fighting. Right now I enjoy fighting, that’s my focus and forte.
Coaching isn’t how I make my living, it’s not who I am right now as a man.
But I enjoyed coaching, it was fun. I enjoyed representing my country and I’d do it again.
What was it like working with Aussie fighters?
GS: I loved it. I thought it was great, especially when we won, especially with the welterweights, when there were knockouts or submissions, I loved seeing it.
I loved seeing the Australians showcase to the world what they could do and when they got their hand raised, it was like getting my own arm raised.
What are your thoughts on Ross Pearson now? Has the bad blood been settled?
GS: My thoughts on Ross haven’t changed and I’m sure he hasn’t changed his thoughts about me.
What are your thoughts on Robert Whittaker? Do you think he’ll go far in the UFC?
GS: Yeah, Robert’s got great potential. His attitude is what’s getting him places.
He’s got a great attitude, he’s very positive, he wants to work, he loves what he does and he’s got great skills. He’s going to go very far.
I think life is an attitude – if you have the right attitude, you can do anything.
What are your thoughts on the state of MMA in Australia?
GS: It’s definitely growing. The popularity of the sport has increased significantly, especially since the UFC started doing shows there.
Obviously Victoria needs to approve the cage ban, same with Western Australia.
I think once they get past those issues the sport will continue growing as it has in the rest of the world.
What do you think about Kyle Noke following in your footsteps as an Aussie coach?
GS: I think it’s great. Honestly, he’s the perfect guy for it.
I think he’s going to do a great job. He’s a humble human being and he’s well-equipped for it.
He’s got the right people around him. He’s seasoned, he’s one of the best guys Australia has produced and he’s very capable.
What is your mind-set coming into UFC 166? Obviously your last three fights haven’t gone your way and you have a successful financial career on the side.
GS: I have a very positive mind-set going into this fight. It’s a great opportunity and I think I’ve got all the tools to showcase myself and my great abilities.
Do you think ring rust will be a factor?
GS: Ring rust is only a factor if you stay away from the gym and I’m always in the gym.
I’m always staying in shape. I’m always working on my fitness, my strength, my cardio and my techniques.
I’ve faced injury layoffs before – back in 2008, I tore my ACL and I was out for 16 months and then I went on a five fight win-streak. So it didn’t affect me then and it won’t affect me now.
Last year you made the move to American Top Team (ATT). How has your training been with Ricardo Liborio and his crew?
GS: It’s honestly been outstanding. Ricardo is a real positive human being; he’s a special human being. He’s so positive and loving and everyone loves the guy. Ricardo is honestly the glue that keeps American Top Team together.
There are so many other great coaches at American Top Team. There are people that used to train with Anderson Silva, his training partners – they’re striking coaches.
There are outstanding grappling coaches and outstanding wrestling coaches. There are so many coaches and fighters in this team that are so talented, you’re never short of quality training.
Also very competitive training, it’s a very challenging environment. It’s probably one of the best environments you’ll find on the planet for this kind of activity.
What are your thoughts on K.J. Noons?
GS: He’s made a name for himself in MMA through his striking ability.
From his childhood years he was involved in the striking arts of karate, boxing and kickboxing and that’s how he’s made a name for himself. That’s what he displays most and best in his fights.
Is there anything specific you will be working on for this fight? How do you plan to deal with K.J.’s striking?
GS: I have a very balanced game. I dedicate an equal amount of time to my striking abilities, wrestling and grappling abilities.
And that’s the name of the game, it’s key to be balanced. If you have any deficiencies, you will pay for it.
Aside from the guys at ATT, will you be bringing in anyone different for this training camp?
GS: I have one of my original coaches from Australia coming out to help me. So he’ll be here for about eight weeks.
He was with me for my first eight fights and I look forward to having him here as well.
What are your thoughts on the stacked UFC lightweight division?
GS: It’s a very competitive division.
I think that the fights that you see in the lightweight division are far more competitive than what you see in the heavyweight or middleweight division because there is such a talented pool of fighters.
What are your thoughts on the current UFC lightweight champ, Benson Henderson?
GS: I think Benson has a great skillset. He’s got great wrestling, great striking and he’s got great grappling.
He’s a well-rounded athlete. His athleticism is as equally prominent as his MMA ability.
That’s the reason he’s there – I think he’s the complete package.
What are your plans for the remainder of your career?
GS: My plan is to continue fighting and continue winning. That’s just the bottom line.
UFC 166: Velasquez versus Dos Santos 3 will air in Australia on October 20, 2013 on pay-per-view.
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