George Sotiropoulos: brains, brawn or both?

Pre February 2011, he was one of the UFC’s golden boys - an intelligent, skilled, accomplished ambassador for the UFC from Australia, a country overlooked by the Las Vegas-based company. He was riding high, slicing through opponents, on a seven-fight win streak to a place in the top 10.

Then he fought Dennis Siver on February 27, in front of a deafening home crowd in Sydney. And lost ... finally.

He showed tenacity, resilience and all the hallmarks of a great fighter, but he was beaten, unanimously, in the judges’ eyes.

So what is required to get back into the limelight?

To answer that, a better understanding of the man is required.

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Growing up in Geelong, Victoria, Sotiropoulos was a regular kid, keen on Bruce Lee and other larger-than-life movie stars who got their point across with a fly-kick just as readily as a line from the script.

He was studious, athletic, and a mad Geelong Cats supporter.

But George didn’t just fantasise about being Bruce Lee; he began at an early age to walk the walk.

He starting training in Brazilian jiu jitsu at the age of 20, and received his black belt in just seven years. That feat is impressive enough on its own.

Consider, however, that he won a Victorian Amateur Boxing title in the same year, and represented Australia in the 2003 and 2007 submission wrestling world championships, and you get the idea that George wasn’t just a kid who got a kick out of ninjas; he was a motivated, dedicated and accomplished man with being 'the best' in mind.

Mainstream Australia was introduced to Sotiropoulos in season six of the UFC’s reality TV show (and talent scout) The Ultimate Fighter.

Regarded by both coaches as one of the favourites to win the competition, he excelled until beaten in the semi-finals by a thumb in the eye and a single, unguarded flurry of punches - a reality that all Mixed Martial Artists must deal with.

Leaving the show with his coach Matt Serra (now a friend), he didn’t let a loss dampen his motivation. He moved to Long Island, New York, to train in Serra’s gym, and to continue his desire to constantly develop his skills.

"I think in this sport, it’s constantly evolving," Sotiropoulos told foxsports.com.au exclusively from Vancouver ahead of his weekend fight with Rafael dos Anjos in UFC 132 in Las Vegas.

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