UFC 123 News: Official Gate, BJ Penn’s Next Fight, More

— Last night’s UFC 123 event, which took place at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan, drew an estimated 16,404 spectators for an estimated live gate of approximately $2.1 million. UFC president Dana White said that he was happy with the turnout and that they would “definitely” come back at some point.

— Just a couple hours after a second round submission victory over Joe Lauzon at UFC 123, George Sotiropoulos’ next fight has already been planned. UFC President Dana White announced at the post-UFC 123 press conference that Sotiropoulos would take on Dennis Siver at UFC 127 in Sydney, Australia. The fight will mark the second time for Sotiropoulos fighting in his home country of Australia under the UFC banner. In his 6-year career, the 33-year-old lightweight has amassed a pro MMA record of 14-2, including a perfect 7-0 mark inside the Octagon. A winner in 6 of his last 7 fights, Germany’s Dennis Siver is looking for the biggest win of his career against Sotiropoulos. In his last outing, Siver knocked down and later submitted Andre Winner at UFC 122 earlier this month. The performance earned Siver his first submission of the night bonus. UFC 127 will take place in Sydney, Australia on February 27, 2011. Stay tuned to 411mania for all the details on the event.

— After UFC 123, Dana White stated that a welterweight bout between BJ Penn (16-7-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC) and Jon Fitch (23-3 MMA, 13-1 UFC) would take place at UFC 127 in Australia. As noted above, George Sotiropoulos will fight Dennis Siver on the card.

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