Issue 093
October 2012
After a series of sold out UFC events and with The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes looming, MMA in Australia is booming. But who are the stars Down Under?
About
Elvis Sinosic
‘The King of Rock and Rumble.’
George Sotiropoulos
TUF graduate and UFC lightweight contender.
Dylan Andrews
Although a New Zealander, ‘The Villain’ is based on the Gold Coast.
Kyle Noke
UFC middleweight fighting out of Greg Jackson’s camp.
Gustavo Falciroli
Brazilian bantamweight who moved to Oz in 2007 and is now a full citizen.
Anthony Perosh
Veteran grappler who is enjoying an Indian summer.
Hector Lombard
Cuban-born Pride veteran and former Bellator champion who became an Australian citizen.
Known For
Elvis Sinosic
The pioneer. The first Aussie to make serious waves in mixed martial arts.
George Sotiropoulos
Feared exponent of 10th Planet jiu-jitsu.
Dylan Andrews
Nitro MMA middleweight champion who likes to finish fights.
Kyle Noke
Was long-time bodyguard and close friend of the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin.
Gustavo Falciroli
Gustavo is a dynamic submission artist who also packs a punch.
Anthony Perosh
So hard to shift from top position, he became known as ‘The Hippo.’
Hector Lombard
Unbeaten in his last 25 fights, dating back to November 2006.
Worth Seeing
Elvis Sinosic
Elvis almost wrecked Michael Bisping’s homecoming in a back-and-forth brawl at UFC 70 in Manchester.
George Sotiropoulos
George dominated former lightweight title challenger Joe Stevenson over three rounds at UFC 110 in Sydney.
Dylan Andrews
Relentlessly ground down Rob Giuffrida on the way to a TKO win at Nitro 3.
Kyle Noke
His second-round TKO of Josh Bryant at the TUF 11 Finale was clinical.
Gustavo Falciroli
Ended a thrilling CFC title bout against Nick Honstein with an arm triangle.
Anthony Perosh
Stepped in at two days’ notice to fight Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ at UFC 110. Lost on a cut, but his courage won him a contract.
Hector Lombard
The stunning six-second KO of Jay Silva at Bellator 18.
Career High
Elvis Sinosic
Submitted Jeremy Horn at UFC 30 to earn a crack at the 205lb belt.
George Sotiropoulos
George’s kimura victory over Joe Lauzon at UFC 123 earned him a ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus and established him as a player at 155lb.
Dylan Andrews
Dylan’s sharp punching stopped Melbourne fighter Ross Dallow in 57 seconds at AFC 2.
Kyle Noke
Noke took ‘Submission of the Night’ honors for his rear naked choke on Chris Camozzi at UFC 127.
Gustavo Falciroli
Slapped a rear naked choke on Soo Chul Kim just over a minute into his One FC debut in Jakarta.
Anthony Perosh
On his return to light heavyweight, he scored a first-round rear naked choke victory over Tom Blackledge at UFC 127.
Hector Lombard
Dropped Trevor Prangley at Bellator 58, then rained down left hands until the ref waved it off. Enough to earn a ticket to the big show.
Future
Elvis Sinosic
With the sport surging Down Under, there’s always a chance the retired veteran may return to the cage one last time.
George Sotiropoulos
Back-to-back defeats and injury trouble have seen him drop down the pecking order.
Dylan Andrews
Has been the next big thing for a while, but defeats against bigger names are a concern.
Kyle Noke
Currently sidelined with a knee injury.
Gustavo Falciroli
His exciting style means he is much sought after at the moment.
Anthony Perosh
The 40-year-old’s stock has never been higher after a successful UFC run.
Hector Lombard
Critics have bemoaned his level of competition. Now he’s in the UFC, we will find out if he’s the real deal.
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