UFC 123 Preview: The Main Card

Lightweights
George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon

The Matchup: Sotiropoulos makes grappling exciting, with a potent and polished ground game that has carried him to a 6-0 record in the UFC. His win over Joe Stevenson at UFC 110 was the kind of clinic one would show to a novice on grappling, guard passing and transitions.

Lauzon will want to keep this one standing, until he can possibly nail a takedown off an exchange. While Sotiropoulos’ stand-up continues the transition from “work in progress” to “serviceable,” Lauzon is better in this department and seems to be more comfortable on the feet. The physically bigger Aussie tends to use his strikes mostly to establish range for a clinch and eventual takedown.

Two really strong jiu-jitsu players often cancel one another out on the ground, so Sotiropoulos, if he can secure top position, should work to wear down Lauzon and score points. In a three-round fight, a one- or two-takedown advantage is often enough to make the difference in the eyes of the judges. Neither man has a distinct wrestling advantage, so striking on the transitions will likely set up the takedowns. That will give Lauzon room to work his hooks and occasional kicks.

This one will come down to a few small advantages exploited by either fight. Expect both of them to spend time on their backs, with some lengthy scrambles and transitions.

One minor complaint: athletic commissions need to take a position on the attire worn by fighters like Sotiropoulos. Long shorts, when combined with knee and ankle pads, are comparable to gi pants, which are not allowed. They definitely make a tactical impact on the ground game, giving the wearer an advantage if he knows how to use them, which Sotiropoulos clearly does. MMA does not need any more controversies, so a ruling on this is overdue. Either limit fighters to shorts of a certain length if they wear knee and ankle pads, or allow gi pants.

The Pick: Though Lauzon is a better striker, Sotiropoulos will prove a little too big and imposing if and when he gets top position. He will have enough in his repertoire to earn a decision.