Pride of Australia ready for title shot | Thebigtip

The pride of Greek and Australian MMA- George Sotiropoulos has the expectation of two nations on his shoulders. He has worked his way up the lightweight ladder efficiently, and seems to have done so without getting significant recognition.

Although Sotiropoulos was a semi-finalist on American hit show, The Ultimate Fighter, where he competed at welterweight, very few expected him to make such small work of the fighters he has faced since moving down to the lightweight division. His biggest scalp in the octagon coming in February 2010 with a decision victory over vastly experienced Joe Stevenson in Sydney Australia.

What better time than the present for the ‘Wizard of Oz’ to mount a title challenge than the present.

With lightweight legend BJ Penn experiencing indifferent form following his two recent loses to Frankie Edgar; the lightweight title is there for the taking and history is waiting to be written.

Persistent rumours are doing the rounds that if George overcomes Joe Lauzon on November the 20, at UFC 123 he will be next in line for a title-shot, possibly in front of the Aussie faithful.

With a strong record of 13-2 in the Octagon, George seems to be evolving into a true all-round fighter. Possessing some of the best boxing in the weight division coupled with his incredible mobility and activeness when on the ground, it is no wonder George is being touted as the first Australian to win a UFC belt.

With a great team behind him; Leonard Gabriel working on his boxing and Eddie Bravo sharpening up his Jiu-Jitsu, it is fair to say that he has the foundations of a champion.

A win on November the 20th would signify a superb year for the 33 year-old who has also been shortlisted for two nominations in the upcoming MMA awards, for;  International Fighter of the Year and Breakthrough Fighter of the Year.