Sotiropoulos Aims for FOTN Against Pellegrino

“Pellegrino’s a serious guy,” Sotiropoulos told the Sherdog Radio Network's “Beatdown” show on Monday. “He's tough. He's a wrestler. His roots are from the sport of wrestling but he backs it up with good jiu-jitsu. He knows all the positions. He knows how to transition on the ground and he does it well. He maintains a good top game and he's got good striking to back it up. He's more than capable. He's got a good winning record right now and he's doing well and he's in a good place mentally. Obviously he's in a good place physically and I'm expecting the best out of that guy.”

In a division known for its fast-paced action, Sotiropoulos, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and “rubber guard” practitioner, isn't only expecting the best out of Pellegrino in the cage but also thinks the fight to pay off handsomely.

“It has that potential (to be Fight of the Night),” said Sotiropoulos. “We both have that dog fight in us. We both are going to give it our best. Honestly, it could have that potential.”

Since his unanimous decision victory over Joe Stevenson at UFC 110 in February, Sotiropoulos’ name has popped up more and more in title contender conversations. The 32-year-old fighter is in no hurry, though.

“I would say (I have) two or three fights (until a title shot) just going on statistics,” he said. “Dana White has said in interviews, most guys that have a winning streak get a title shot within seven to eight fights. I welcome that opportunity if it comes. I'm not really going to focus on it that much. It's not what motivates me. What motivates me to fight is the fight itself. I love fighting.”

And if he keeps on fighting the way he has been in the UFC, things will fall into place.

“If I just keeping doing what I do, the fight will present itself but I'm no rush,” said Sotiropoulos. “When you do well, things will come your way. I'm patient and I'm happy just to keep proving and developing my game. If it presents itself soon that's great, but if it doesn't I'm happy. I’ll continue to work hard and it'll come some time in the future.”