In his first appearance since being released by the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Australian fighter George Sotiropoulos (pictured) was unable to halt his losing streak, going town to former TUF finalist Mike Ricci via unanimous decision after three-rounds.
The two headlined the Titan Fighting Championship 29 event held at the Crown Coliseum in North Carolina, USA on Friday night. The event was not broadcast in Australia.
Sherdog.com did a live play-by-play of the fight:
ROUND 1
Ricci with a hard kick to the body at the outset. Ricci maintains distance with his punches, while Sotiropoulos looks to close the distance with combinations. The Australian lands a nice body kick of his own. Now Sotiropoulos tries for a takedown, but Ricci stops it and lands a hard knee to the face. A left high kick upstairs has “G-Sot” temporarily reeling. Sotiropoulos clinches up to regain his bearings. Ricci defends a single leg against the cage. Ricci separates and they’re back in the center of the cage. Ricci follows a one-two combo with a head kick that narrowly misses. Sotiropoulos grabs a body lock and drags Ricci down, but only for a moment. Sotiropoulos keeps the pressure on and locks his hands behind Ricci. Somehow the Canadian keeps his feet. Ricci breaks away with 30 seconds to go. Sotiropoulus ducks under a right hand. The round ends with both men standing.ROUND 2
Ricci lands a right hand to open the period. Ricci goes up top with a left head kick, but Sotiropoulos blocks it. Another high kick connects on the Australian. Now Ricci is finding a home for his punches. Sotiropoulos grinds his man into the fence. A cut has opened up over the right eye of Ricci. Sotiropoulos is doggedly pursuing the takedown. Ricci’s defense remains stout. Ricci lands a right hook as his foe comes forward. Ricci lands another left kick to the body. Sotiropoulos counters with a left hook, but Ricci lands yet another kick to the body as well as a straight right hand. Sotiropoulos goes back to working on the takedown, looking for a single leg. They break away and Ricci throws a pair of high kicks; the second one hurts “G-Sot” and is followed by a straight left. Now Ricci follows his man to the floor and works inside his opponent’s guard. They return to their feet before the period ends.ROUND 3
Sotiropoulos opens with a left hook. Ricci answers with a combination as the featherweights exchange in the pocket. Ricci with a couple kicks to the body, Sotiropoulos answers with a body kick of his own. Sotiropoulos presses Ricci into the fence, but Ricci continues to remain calm as his foe hunts for a single-leg. Ricci escapes, changes levels and gets a surprise takedown. Sotiropoulos uses his guard to push Ricci away, but the Canadian keeps top position. They’re against the fence now, with Ricci in his opponent’s high guard. Not a lot of offense from Ricci on top, but he’s avoiding submissions and holding his position. Sotiropoulos tries to push off and get up, but Ricci isn’t having it. Now Sotiropoulos tries for a leg lock. Ricci isn’t in any serious danger, and now he’s back inside his opponent’s guard. Sotiropoulos doing a good job of controlling Ricci’s posture, but he isn’t doing anything that’s going to win him the fight at this point. Sotiropoulos gets up and takes his man down late; Ricci tries for a kimura as time expires.
The scores came back 30-27 across the board for Ricci.
It was the fifth consecutive loss for 37-year old, who did start his UFC career winning his first seven bouts where he was talked about as a potential title challenger. Ricci has now gone 2-0 since his short stint in the UFC, with the Tristar Gym fighter disposing of Jorge Gurgel back in February.
Main Card Results:
- Mike Ricci def George Sotiropoulos via Decision (Unanimous)
- Kurt Holobaugh def Lloyd Woodward via KO (Punches), Rd 1, 0:15
- Bristol Marunde def Micah Miller via Decision (Unanimous)
- Keith Johnson def Mike Bronzoulis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 3, 3:31
- Brian Davidson def Kevin Smith via Decision (Unanimous)
Preliminary Results:
- Dustin Jacoby def Lucas Lopes via TKO (Strikes), Rd 1, 4:15
- Robert Washington def Blaine Thomas via TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage), Rd 1, 1:20
- Steve Montgomery def Rakim Cleveland via Decision (Split)
- Luciano Santos def Jeremy Severn via TKO (Strikes), Rd 3, 2:38
- D’Juan Owens def Mike Bruno via Decision (Split)
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