UFC 123, Weigh ins, Day before the fight

Today we got up early and George had a really light workout. He looks good and is on point with his weight. At 400pm we met down stairs with the UFC staff to get our wrist bands for the weight ins and to have our rules meeting for the event tomorrow night.

Once the meeting is over we headed out to the vans that drove us over to the arena. We rode over with Gerald Harris and his corner man. When we got to the arena, UFC behind the scenes crew asked me to do a interview. Once my interview was done George was called to do his paper work with UFC.


Team Sotiropoulos: Eddie Bravo, George Sotiropoulos, Leonard Gabriel, Eric Jetton and Michael Chapman backstage at the weigh-ins.

A short time later all the fighters and one corner man was called to line up in the order of the fights so the weigh ins can start. Joe Lauzon and his corner man got in line before us so we stood behind him. This is the first time I saw the shirts that Lauzon made for this fight. It was funny to say the least. It said something to the effect that according to the Australian Wildlife 100 people a year have been killed by an adult Joey. You have been warned! As you can guess George didn't think that was to funny.

A short time later we were up and Lauzon was called up first he weighed 155lbs. Then George was up 155lbs on the dot. Then came the stare down. Ill let the picture of the stare down do the talking!!

Once the weigh in was over it was back to the room so George could rest for tomorrow night!!

UFC 123, Nov. 18, 2010, Media Open Workout

Today started off early at 6am. I headed to the airport to pickup George's parents they are super excited to be here from Australia to support him at this fight. Once I got George's parents to their hotel we sat and had breakfast then took them to their room so they could rest.

I headed back to our room where George was getting ready for his open media workout at the Detroit Athletic Center. A short time later we were headed to the open workouts. Prior to leaving the hotel they reminded us that we could not wear jeans there, this caused Eric and Micheal form Team Sotiropoulos to make a mad dash to change out of their jeans.

Once everyone was in their proper attire we headed out to the workout. When we got there I jumped out of the van on my cell phone and was told that no cell phone use or hats of any kind was allowed in the building.

Since I was the first to the door I turned to the rest of the guys who rode down with us to tell them what the door man had just told me and realized that all 15 other guys that were with me were on their phones, texting, tweeting, talking or had hats on. LOL!!

I could tell that the door guy was not to comfortable telling a bunch of UFC fighters and their corner men that they could not use their phones and had to take off their hats. As soon as we got into the building it was immediately apparent that this was a very exclusive gym/boys club.

It was also clear that most of the members didn't like that we were in their club. It seemed that all of its members were quite older and seem like very "established gentlemen". The staff took us quickly into a locker room that we were told had just been remodeled for 1.5 million dollars just for the locker room!!!

Of course the locker room was nice and they had us wait in there until it was your turn to go down stairs and workout in front of the media. We sat in the lounge area watching TV while members walked by us staring wondering who we were. They all had the same custom robes on with their names embroidered on their chest.

After about 10 minutes in the locker room a UFC fighter who will remain unnamed checked his text messages and in a second of looking at his phone was quickly reminded that he was not to be using his phone in the building. This gentleman who had a fantastic body, NOT, said phones shouldn't be used in here because because people were walking around here naked.

Another UFC fighter assured the gentleman that he was pretty sure that none of us would be taking or wanting any pictures of him or anyone else in that locker room. As you can imagine that comment was taken to well.

Anyway about 15minutes in the locker room, George was called down to do his workout for the media. George only had to give about 2 minutes of shadow boxing then field questions from the media. Then we were back in the van and headed back to the hotel.

As soon as we got back we headed to the workout room and did our real workout before going to dinner and calling it a night, George is definitely peaking and looking the best yet to date. I'm really feeling confident and very very happy how he is putting everything together. George is looking like a beast!! I never ever have or will bet on George but if I did i would bet the farm on this one!! Hint, hint............

UFC 123, Nov 17, 2010, Second Day- Pres Confrence

Today started off with us getting up at 8am and eating a little breakfast at the hotel lobby. While I had the breakfast buffet, George had his oatmeal and protein. After planning out our day we headed out to the parking lot to do some sprints. Let me just suggest that if you are ever in Detroit in November do not and Ill repeat this DO NOT go out and time someone doing sprints outside in a hoodie, shorts and slippers!!

Once our sprints were over George just had enough time to shower while I tried to thaw out then meet the rest of the fighter in the lobby for our ride to the press conference. On the way to the press conference Matt Hughes and his camp as well as Lyoto Machida and his brother and father rode down with us. When we got to the venue they put us in a back room until it was ready for the fighters to go onstage.


George and I, Matt Huges and his trainer in the back room before the press conference.

While in the back room we were provided with drinks, fruit and a very good lunch buffet. Although George and the rest of the fighter could not take full advantage of the buffet it didn't stop me from having three plates while we waited. Well maybe three and a half plates but I really didn't want the food to go to waste!!

A short time later George and the other fighters were called on stage for the press conference. The press conference went well and for the first time since I have been with George (this being the 5th UFC together) no one really did any trash talking at the press conference. The press conference can be seen on sherdog or the UFC website.

Once back at the Hotel George had to do his Photo shoot and Pre UFC interview for UFC. When that was all done we headed back to our room for a rest and waited for Eddie Bravo to arrive and hit our evening workout.

When Eddie Bravo arrived we headed down to a very crowed workout room. Already in there was Robbie Lawler, Brian Foster, Matt Hughes and a first time fighter to UFC whose name I cant remember at this time and all of their camps.

George first warmed up with a little jump rope then we did our boxing workout followed by Eddie Bravo working with George on his Jiu Jitsu. I was cool to see that when George and Eddie was working all of the other fighters kinda watched them for a little bit and was very interested in what they were work on.

Once the workout was done we headed back to the room showered and headed out for dinner. A short time later the last of Team Sotiropoulos arrived, Eric Jetton. Now that Eric is here the team is complete and we headed to bed. Tomorrow will be our open workout for the media.

UFC 123, Nov.16 First day in Detroit

The day started off with a early morning flight on Horizon Air to Seattle. After walking half of the airport from gate "A" to gate "S" we made it just in time to walk right onto our connecting flight to Detroit. On the same flight with us was Dennis Hallman and Matt Brown both who are also fighting on UFC 123.

The flight was uneventful with the exception of George standing over me dripping water on my head while I was sleeping. George and a few nearby passengers couldn't stop laughing while I didnt think it was that amusing and went back to sleep!!!!

Once at the airport we were picked up by the UFC drivers and taken to our hotel about 45 minutes out Detroit in Auburn Hills. At the hotel George and the fighters (Dennis Hallman, Gerald Harris and Matt Brown) that were in our van was taken to the scale for pre weigh in. That was followed by the normal paper work and poster signing that the fighters have to do on arrival to every UFC event.

From there we headed up to our room but not before a small crowd of UFC fans stopped George and had him sign a few pictures and posters.

Once all our bags were unpacked we headed across the parking lot to a Italian restaurant where I ate with Adam ( a Australia Sports reporter shadowing George for this fight and doing a documentary on him for Australia TV) and George sat with us to go over his schedule for the following days.

Then we headed to the UFC workout room to get a workout. When we got there Tyson Griffin and Matt Hughes were already working out. George warmed up by jumping rope then he Shadow boxed and hit mitts for about 40minutes. George is looking better then ever, he is always improving with every fight. George has surprised me with how relaxed he is able to stay while working out. This has also been very apparent during recent sparring session at home before we left.

Anyway we are now back in the room and headed to bed. We have a early morning workout planned before George has to be at a 1130am press conference. The press conference can be seen on UFC or sherdog if anyone is interested.

UFC 123, George Sotiropoulos vs Joe Lauzon

UFC 123, November 20, 2010, George Sotiropoulos will take on Joe Lauzon at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit Mi. We will keep you up to date with our activities by updating our blog daily!!

Virgil WINS his Pro debut!!!

Virgil did Fisticuffs proud by out boxing Miguel Garcia who was a good boxer. Although this was Virgil's pro debut Virgil looked calm and and very relaxed while displaying a very solid performance.

This could not be said about his pre fight preparation. Virgil who was understandably nervous for his first pro fight, put his boxing shoe on the wrong foot. Virgil and I couldn't stop laughing once I pointed this out to him. But believe me when I say this was the only thing that Virgil did wrong that night.

Once in the ring and the shoes on the right feet, Virgil work his jab using his speed and distance hurting Garcia in the first and third round. Garcia continued to retreat from Virgil's constant attack and in the fourth and final round Garcia exchanged a little more with Virgil but could not match Virgil's speed. The judges saw it as 36-40, 39-37, and 36-40 all rounds going to Virgil in a unanimous decision.

His performance caught the eye of the promoter and Casino's general manger who requested a meeting to discuss signing Virgil to a contract with the Emerald Queen casino.

Check out a article from "Boxing Prospects" a site for the Pacific Northwest Boxing scene that covered Virgil Fight.

Congratulations Virgil from your Fisticuffs family!!!!

Virgil Green Makes his Pro Boxing Debut

Virgil who is a 3 time Golden Glove Champion and winner of the 2010 Oregon USA Boxing Championships makes his Pro Boxing Debut at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma. Virgil will face Miguel Garcia who holds a Pro record of 2 wins, 1 lost and 1 draw.