‘TUF 6’ Down to Danzig, Speer
Miles vs. Sotiropolous
Dec 8, 2007
Billy
Miles (Pictures) vs. George Sotiropoulos
(Pictures) Every season of "The
Ultimate Fighter" gives us prospects that, after several episodes
worth of hype, end up falling to pieces for every John MMA Fan to
see. This time around it was Matt Hughes (Pictures)' protégé Billy "The Kid" Miles
(2-1) and all-around sourpuss George Sotiropolous (7-2), both of
whom talked big games and backed it up by losing to relative
unknowns.
Although Tommy Speer eventually took on the role of this season's Matt Hughes (Pictures) redux, it was Miles who many tabbed to be the dominant wrestler who would give housemates fits inside the Octagon.
A natural middleweight, Miles appeared to have the inside track to
the finals based on the assumption that his wrestling ability would
only be augmented by competing against smaller opponents.
While dropping weight is the chic thing to do in MMA -- just ask Joe Rogan -- Miles fell victim to Gabe Ruediger (Pictures) syndrome as he struggled to make weight and was left weakened by the sudden drop. That was all the opening John Kolosci (Pictures) needed as he put Miles away in the first round with the wrestler's kryptonite: a straight guillotine choke.
Anyone familiar with the burgeoning Australian MMA scene tabbed Sotiropolous as the one man with the pedigree to challenge both Mac Danzig (Pictures)'s skill and ego. After making quick work of Jared Rollins (Pictures) and Richie Hightower (Pictures) in the opening rounds of the season, a semifinal bout with the rugged but unproven Tommy Speer was considered a precursor to a meeting in the finals with Danzig.
What had been a predictable season of fights was suddenly thrown for a loop, however, when Speer knocked out Sotiropolous in the first round and completed a comeback for Team Hughes that left the 2004 Boston Red Sox feeling envious.
Having spent most of the season regarding his cast mates with general disdain, Sotiropolous' own arrogance cost him a golden opportunity when he chose to strike with Speer instead of testing the wrestler's suspect submission defense.
A similar task awaits Sotiropolous against Miles, who is the prototypical powerhouse wrestler. Wrestling alone won't get the job done against Sotiropolous, though, and Miles lacks the experience to contend with the Australian's superior grappling technique.
Of particular interest will be how well Miles handles the drop down to welterweight this time around, but it shouldn't make much of a difference either way when Sotiropolous regains some of his lost luster with a first-round submission win. With Elvis Sinosic (Pictures) in the twilight of his career, the UFC may have just the man to play the role of "Official Australian Guy."
Although Tommy Speer eventually took on the role of this season's Matt Hughes (Pictures) redux, it was Miles who many tabbed to be the dominant wrestler who would give housemates fits inside the Octagon.
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While dropping weight is the chic thing to do in MMA -- just ask Joe Rogan -- Miles fell victim to Gabe Ruediger (Pictures) syndrome as he struggled to make weight and was left weakened by the sudden drop. That was all the opening John Kolosci (Pictures) needed as he put Miles away in the first round with the wrestler's kryptonite: a straight guillotine choke.
The outcome was predictable after watching Miles labor through his
first attempt to make welterweight. Not so predictable was
Sotiropolous' sudden exit from the Dana White sweepstakes.
Anyone familiar with the burgeoning Australian MMA scene tabbed Sotiropolous as the one man with the pedigree to challenge both Mac Danzig (Pictures)'s skill and ego. After making quick work of Jared Rollins (Pictures) and Richie Hightower (Pictures) in the opening rounds of the season, a semifinal bout with the rugged but unproven Tommy Speer was considered a precursor to a meeting in the finals with Danzig.
What had been a predictable season of fights was suddenly thrown for a loop, however, when Speer knocked out Sotiropolous in the first round and completed a comeback for Team Hughes that left the 2004 Boston Red Sox feeling envious.
Having spent most of the season regarding his cast mates with general disdain, Sotiropolous' own arrogance cost him a golden opportunity when he chose to strike with Speer instead of testing the wrestler's suspect submission defense.
A similar task awaits Sotiropolous against Miles, who is the prototypical powerhouse wrestler. Wrestling alone won't get the job done against Sotiropolous, though, and Miles lacks the experience to contend with the Australian's superior grappling technique.
Of particular interest will be how well Miles handles the drop down to welterweight this time around, but it shouldn't make much of a difference either way when Sotiropolous regains some of his lost luster with a first-round submission win. With Elvis Sinosic (Pictures) in the twilight of his career, the UFC may have just the man to play the role of "Official Australian Guy."
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