George Sotiropoulos is going to have to wait a little bit longer to try and get back in the win column. The Australian fighter has been forced out of his bout with Takanori Gomi at UFC 144, but the UFC has a found a suitable replacement. MMA Weekly has it:
An injury has forced former Ultimate Fighter competitor George Sotiropoulos out of UFC 144 in Japan. Eiji Mitsuoka steps in to take his place to face Takanori Gomi.
Like Gomi, Mitsuoka has competed in Pride and Sengoku in the past, and it's actually a bit surprising that they never met in Sengoku. Mitsuoka (18-7-1) is currently on a two-fight winning streak, and holds wins over the likes of Joachim Hansen and Gleison Tibau. Gomi (32-8, 1 NC) has lost three of his four UFC bouts so far, and looked particularly unimpressive in his first round submission loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 135. He desperately needs a win to keep his job with the organization.
The bout will take place on the undercard of the event, currently scheduled for February 25th in the Saitama Super Arena. The main event will see UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar defending his title against former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson.
0 recs | 11 comments
poor sotty
he was tearing through lw just a year ago
Cunny - January 29, 2012
sweet
now we’re guaranteed at least 1 JMMA win in the UFC in 2012
Kadd - January 29, 2012
I think we have a good chance of seeing alot more JMMA fighters winning then walking away with L’s actually. I feel Okami is going to run shop on Boetsch, I also foresee Hikoi beating Bart, and Mizugaki getting a W over Chris Cariaso. I also think Riki Fukuda has the odds in his favor to beat Steve Cantwell ?
Another JMMA fighter I would think should get a W but seems to be a almost at a Gomi level now in his career is Kid. I just don’t know what we are going to get from him anymore ? Yes I do think he should destroy Vaughan Lee but who knows ? It would not shock me at all if he finds a way to loose that fight. Overall though I think we will see alot of success for JMMA fighters that night ?
Shocbomb - January 30, 2012
WAR GOMI!!! Mitsuoka better tuck his chin.
Elitex10x - January 29, 2012
Mitsuoka is going to beast him. Gomi simply hasn’t been the same since even before the PRIDE days were over and his last performance against Diaz was cringe-worthy.
andrew861 - January 29, 2012
The Gomi that showed up for the Diaz fight
Doesn’t beat anyone in the UFC, Mitsuoka included.
discoandherpes - January 29, 2012
Gomi is always dangerous if people get overconfident on the feet.
Even in his current horribly tarnished state, the Fireball Kid has one-shot KO power.
lolumad - January 29, 2012
Sadly I still don't see Gomi taking this.
Hopefully I’m wrong.
The Armchair Juggernaut - January 29, 2012 via mobile
Even a year ago I would of picked Gomi. and that Gimi from a year ago looked horrible at that point also,but I would still think he had more then enuff to effectively counter wrestle Eiji and would sooner or later clip his jaw.
Now after that Diaz fight I can no longer pick Gomi even against mid level LW competition. He just looked about as bad as a fighter could in that Nate fight.There is no way after that Diaz fight that I could possibly think Gomi will pull this fight off ? I hope I am wrong but I think Eiji will eather take a one sidded boring 30-27 decision or maybe even Sub Gomi ounce he gasses out. Yes there is that chance Gomi could still clip Eiji’s Jaw early but I just don’t see it at all.
Shocbomb - January 29, 2012
Darn.
Kefka - January 30, 2012
I wanted to see Gomi vs. G-Sot.
Bolshevik - February 13, 2012
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