Fight Night!! UFC 101

Today is fight night. We have been up pretty late last night as George started to re hydrate. I think we got to bed around 3 in the morning. We decided we would sleep in because we did not need to be at the UFC office until 5pm when we would have the meeting and get our bus and corner assignments.

After finally getting to bed I got George up at about 9am so he could get more fluids in him. When he woke up in the morning he looked really good because he re hydrated last night and ate a good meal he looked thicker and fuller today. I'm guessing he was probably close to 162lbs now. George woke up fresh and in good spirits ready to go.


George morning of the fight.

George got up had breakfast and went back to sleep. Saohin and I went to breakfast on our own so George could get some peace and quiet. At about 3pm we all stated to get ready. By 4:30pm we headed down to the UFC offices.


Once all the camps arrived we had a meeting where the camps were given their wrist bands for the corner/locker room. We were then we headed to the Wachovia Center. When we got to the center we went directly to our locker rooms to get ready we had the second fight of the night.


As we were driving into the parking lot I saw that it was full and everyone was tailgating. As soon as some of the tailgaters saw the vans drive through they started yelling and going crazy. I knew then that this was going to be a great show!!


We shared the locker room with Johny Hendricks and Forrest Griffin. Once we got to the room we placed the matts on the floor and picked our corner of the room. Once George was ready, we started to drill his boxing with me, mauy thai with Saohin and jiu jitsu with Todd. George also drilled shooting in on me several times.George started to stretch out. After stretching it was time for George to wrap his hands.

George getting his hands wrapped by UFC official.

While George was wrapping his hands I was able to take a picture with Junior Seau who was in our locker room and a member of Forrest Griffin's corner.

Junior Seau and I in our locker room.

Once George had his hands wrapped we tried to put his gloves on and of course the first glove we try to put on breaks. The glove tears all the way across the top of the hand. Now comes a mad scramble for UFC officials to try and find another set of large gloves for George.

The officials are telling us that they only have a medium left and there is no way that's going to fit George. Its now 20mins to Georges fight and we are all getting anxious. Finally they find "the last set" of large gloves for George. We are now down to 15min.

George warms up a little more until they call us to the tunnel. I definitely know I'm more nervous then George. Hes clam and cool and taking it easy. Even though I know he has trained hard and is very prepared for this fight, you cant help but be nervous for him as you stand at that tunnel looking out into a packed crowed that I heard was near 19,000 people.

Well the light comes on and they give us the cue to start walking to the cage. Now you might be wondering why they never showed us walking from the tunnel to the cage. Well I can tell you it was not because of lack of time.

It was because George was walking so fast that I had a hard time keeping up with him and the camera man who was shooting us and walking backwards also could not keep up with George so much so that he fell flat on his back 15feet from the cage. George not missing a beat continued right pass him. I saw that he was not hurt and did everything I could from busting out laughing.

Anyways George is now in the cage and ready to go. Of course we all now what happen next. George had an awesome fight!! Those of you who did not see it here is a link: http://www.pancrase.org/george-roop-vs-george-sotiropoulos-ufc-101-video/08-09-2009/

George being announced as the winner!

We then headed back to the locker room where George did another post fight interview and the rest of the fights is UFC 101 history.

Goerge giving post UFC interview on the way back to the locker room.

Back in the locker room Team Sotiropoulos poses for a photo.

Post fight photo in the locker room. Todd, George, me and Saohin.

We watched the rest of the fights before jumping in our van and heading back to our hotel. I was surprised to see Tito Ortiz sitting in our van. He rode back with us to the hotel and was impressed with George's fight.

Tito Ortiz riding back to our hotel in our van after the fight.

Tito is getting ready for his fight with Mark Coleman.

Mark Coleman and I. In our locker room.

Once at the hotel we were only able to have one drink to celebrate George's win. Because we got back so late, the lobby bar was now closing. Eddie Bravo, Cliona and George's family all toasted and congratulated George on his WIN!!


I WILL POST THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GEORGE'S NEXT UFC FIGHTS AS SOON AS IT'S CONFIRMED!!!

Weigh ins and day before UFC 101

The morning started off with George going down to the scale at 800am for a pre weigh in. At the scale he was three pounds over weight.

From the scale we went next door to our workout room where George did one round of shadow boxing, one round of muay thai shadow boxing and two rounds of mitt work, both boxing and muay thai.

It was a very light workout and all that he need. He also dropped a pound and a half in water weight with that workout.

He then went into the sauna for 20min That put him right at his weight.

From the sauna we went back up to the room. George went to bed and Saohin and I went to lunch.

At 130pm all the fighters and corner men met down in the UFC office to get our passes. It was cool to see that all the camps were together in one room laughing and talking with each other.

I can honestly say that no one in the room, fighter or corner men displayed any type of attitude.

Once the passes were given out and a little speech on proper conduct was given each corner was directed to their vans where we were driven to the sports complex.

While getting in our vans it was amazing to see all these fans that were gathered outside to watch the fighters leave for the weigh ins.

All week there have been fans gathered near the lobby elevators where the hotel roped off an area for them but this crowd tripled any crowd there.

After getting to the Wachovia center I was shocked to see how many people showed up for the weigh ins. There were at least 2000 people there.

First time fighter get to check out the cage at the weigh ins.

While we were backstage Dana White was having a Q and A session with the crowd. They were allowed to go up to the mic and ask him anything about the UFC.

As the fighters sat with their corner men each camp was called up one at a time. We would then meet with licensing to ensure all our paper work was done.

Then the corner men would go back and sit down while they took the fighters back to be checked by the doctors.

When the fighters check ups were done they called for me and George to fit him for his fight gloves. George then tried on and picked his gloves for the fight.

Once George choose his gloves I rolled them up and tied them that way and put them back in its wrapper. I rolled the gloves so they would be a little more broken in for George being that they are brand new gloves.

We then turned the gloves over and placed Georges name on the gloves to ensure we get back the same gloves tomorrow on fight night.

Once that was all done it was time for the weigh in. They got us line up in order of our fights.

We were the second fight and George was the fourth fighter to go up. It now came the time for George to weigh in.

It was funny to see how hardcore some fans can be. Just as they announced George's name this guy ran down to George, teary eyed and said, "George go get him we've been waiting for you for a year DON'T LET US DOWN!"

At that point George was called on stage for his weigh in. George weighed in at 155. Perfect!! For video of the weigh ins go to UFC.com.

George Sotiropoulos and Gorge Roop at official weigh ins.

Once George stepped off of the scale he immediately began to drink water to re hydrate. He also had grilled chicken and rice that he had there in his bag.

George drank a whole gallon of water in a 10min time frame. We then headed back to the room where we stayed the rest of the night.

If the weigh ins were any indications of how the fights are going to be, I can't wait.
The electricity that was back stage was awesome.

A few people have been texting me asking who I think will win certain fights. I really don't know. All the fighters look really good and are in great shape. Not one fighter here looks like they are not prepared.

I don't know which fighters are going to win nor do I consider myself any expert but I'll tell you who I like to win. I like BJ. BJ looks really focused and in good shape.

Although Anderson Silva got booed during the weigh ins I like him over Griffin. I think Kendall may have a tough time against Ricardo and last but not least I think George Sotiropoulos will take it over George Roop.

Although Roop is a tough fighter I know how hard George has been training and think that Sotiropoulos.is a little to much for him at this time.

I hope all the best for all of the fighters and hope that everyone comes out of it safely!!!

Day three, two days to UFC 101

This morning we got up at 630am and went down to the scale to check George's weight. He's still on target with tomorrow being the official weigh in.

From there we headed to the lobby coffee shop where George had an oatmeal protein mix breakfast and we relaxed as we had a cup of coffee.

After relaxing for about an hour we were back at the workout room. Again we had the room to ourselves. It seemed that everyone else seems to be working out in the later evenings but given the size of some of the entourage's it can get pretty crowed quickly.

After stretching George worked on his kick boxing with Saohin and his boxing with me. George continues to get sharper and faster as the days go by.

We then headed to the hotel's gym where George jumped on the treadmill for 30min while I was able to get a massage ;D

Then we were off to lunch and a short nap. This would be George's last meal until the weigh in tomorrow at 430pm. George would start to dry out at this time. Although George was very close to the weight he was suppose to be at he still was not there yet.

At about 230pm George headed down to the workout room with Todd to drill his jiu jitsu while Saohin and I took a nap.

Saohin has been very popular here in Philly. A 2 time champion muay thai fighter, Saohin has been doing seminars everyday at area gyms.

Saohin, two time Mauy Thai Champoin.

After jiu jitsu George had to go and do a photo shoot and a interview for UFC. I was planing to stay in the room but George wanted me to go with him and after all was said and done I was glad I went. It was very interesting.

George first had to go to make up. I really tried not to laugh out loud as I saw these very talented and tough UFC fighters sitting there and getting make up put on them. I was smart enough to know that was not the place or the guys to be laughing at.

George getting make up put on him before his interview.

Anyways after make up George was headed to the photo shoot after stricking a few poses he was off to the interview.

George doing pre fight UFC interview at our Hotel.

Once the interview was over it was back up to the room where George and I watched a documentary on Mike Tyson before watching a few UFC fights of George Roop.

Although George Roop is a very busy and all around sound fighter it is my opinion that George's game is a little more technical and polished and given as prepared as George Sotiropoulos is I feel he will emerge the Winner!!

Once the videos were over it was time to hit the sack for an early day tomorrow.

Day 2, three days til fight night

This morning started at 730am with me going down to the scales with George to monitor his weight. He's still on track. We then headed back up to the room and had breakfast and took a little rest.

After the rest we headed to the workout room for our corner. We were lucky enough to have to room to ourselves.

George worked on his boxing with me and his kick boxing with Saohin. After about an hour we were done George's punches were crisp and his kicks were awesome. That was the best I've seen George kick.He is looking good and is peaking just right.

George working with me on mitts, boxing, morning workout.

George working with Saohin, Muay Thai, morning workout.

George drilling with Todd White Jiu Jitsu, evening workout.

After the workout we headed out for lunch at a local food market. We had to be back at our hotel by 100pm so the UFC van could drive us to Whole Foods so we could shop for the rest of our trip.

We rode with Antonio "Big Foot" Silvia and another Brazilian fighter to the store. I didn't realize that Big foot was that big!!

Being 5'11" and 225lbs myself, I felt like a little child next to him. He was impressive to see in person.

Well on the way back from whole foods the driver told us we were going to pass the Rocky statue and stairs. Of course George got them to pull over onto the sidewalk and let us take pictures.

Philadelphia Museum of Art, home of the "Rocky Statue and Rocky Stairs".

George, Saohin and I striking a pose.

And of course we weren't able to leave until George ran up the stairs and shadow boxed while the driver sang the rocky song. The Brazilians thought he was nuts. And everyone else there!!

George running up the "Rocky stairs" for goodluck as UFC driver sings the theme song.

After another rest period George got 2hrs of jiu jitsu in with Todd. We were lucky to have the workout room to ourselves again because in the workout room next door, it was jammed pack with the media who all sat in on Anderson Silva's workout.

We then showered before going out to dinner and hitting the sack early.

First day in Philly

Sorry everyone no pics from yesterday our first day in Philly. It ended up being a really long day.

Being my first UFC I was impressed with their organization but remember you have fighters and corner men coming from all over the world so it makes for a long wait to finally get to the hotel.

Both George and I left for Philly at 9am. George from Vegas and I from Portland. Once we arrived in Philly we were met by a UFC driver who was suppose to take us to our hotel but all of our guys weren't there yet.

Team Sotiropoulos consists of Todd White (jiu jitsu black belt), Saohin Srisuk (muay thai coach) and myself (Leonard Gabriel) as his boxing coach.

Once everyone arrived in one place we were taken to our hotel it was now 6:30pm. After getting to the hotel we got George's weight checked he was right where he is supposed to be.

We were then off to get all of our licensing paper work done. Now it was 7:15pm. Once our paper work was done we checked in to our room. Its now 8:30!!

Since it was a really long first day we decided to eat dinner across the street at Hard Rock.

Anderson Silva and his huge entourage was also there eating. After dinner we called it a night and went to bed.

UFC 101

We are leaving for UFC 101 on Tuesday, August 4th. George Sotiropoulos, will be fighting George Roop at the Wachovia Center in Philly. Each day posts of the pre-fight prep will be available as well as picture updates.

Guns and Hoses, Tacoma Wa. Emerald Queen Casino

Julie Ballou (wearing blue) competed in the Guns and Hoses at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma in front of a packed house.

The very fast paced and exciting bout received "Fight of the night". Julie lost a split decision against Kate Ingram of Tacoma. Be on the look out for a possible rematch in November.

Golden Gloves National Tournament Championships, Salt Lake City Utah

Miroslav Lokes competed in the May Golden Gloves National Championships in Utah, May 4th -9th, 2009. Miroslav advanced to the tournament after winning the Oregon State Golden Gloves 152lbs title and the Regional Golden Gloves 152lbs. title in Las Vegas.

While competing at Nationals, Mirsolav was part of the Nevada Regional Boxing Team. As a team, they won the national team trophy.

After winning two hard fights, Miroslav advanced to the quarter finals where he met last years national champion Jovonti Starks and lost by decision. Miroslav left Utah now ranked 7th in the nation.