A significant milestone has been reached by Australian Ultimate Fighting Championship star George Sotiropoulos in his pursuit of a world championship fight Down Under, following his victory over Joe Lauzon at UFC 123.
However, should he advance to the finals, it might not be possible for his hometown in Victoria to witness the event.
Sotiropoulos faced Lauzon in a fierce battle in Michigan, managing the initial onslaught in the first round before seizing control of the match, ultimately forcing Lauzon to tap out at 2:43 of the second round.
Now on a seven-match winning streak at the age of 33, he is poised to be a major draw for Victoria when the UFC championships return to Australia.
The challenge lies in the fact that UFC is currently banned in Victoria, necessitating a law change by the state government; otherwise, the Geelong fighter will miss the chance to perform before his home crowd.
Combining martial arts, wrestling, and kickboxing within a steel cage environment, the sport has been described as the fastest-growing sport globally.
Nevertheless, the cage fighting aspect has led to its prohibition.
There is no denying the popularity of the sport in Australia; the latest series of UFC events at Sydney’s Acer Arena sold out within a single day.
Attendance numbered 17,431 at that event, generating $US2.5 million in revenue and surpassing an attendance record previously held by Iron Maiden.
Sotiropoulos shone during the Sydney event in February, achieving a points decision victory against Joe Stevenson.
It remains uncertain whether he will have another opportunity in Australia, but he must hope that UFC officials can persuade the Victorian government to amend its regulations.
In his defense of the sport, he articulated that its rules resemble those of an Olympic event.
“It’s completely safe,” he asserted.
“There is an abundance of technique involved, and it should not be mistaken for street-fighting or cock-fighting.
“There are weight classes, time limits—everything you would encounter in an Olympic setting.
“People often jump to conclusions upon seeing the cage and automatically assume there is something negative.”
