Tonight, in front of a diehard Omaha, Nebraska crowd, the original Ultimate Fighter, Diego Sanchez, will take on one of the UFC’s fastest growing stars, Jake Ellenberger. The two will clash at very different but equally critical points in their careers, which is what should make this a very appealing and interesting fight for the fans.
Sanchez has been one of the most well known faces and names the UFC has ever produced. His characteristics and sometimes seemingly odd behaviors and techniques have made him a “love or hate” fighter, meaning he’s loved by many and hated by many. His career has been, without a doubt, successful if you look at his entire body of work as an MMA fighter (he’s posted a 23-5 overall MMA record). However, aside from popularity and his ability to stay afloat in the world’s largest MMA promotion (at both lightweight and welterweight) Sanchez’s UFC career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After dropping down to lightweight and falling just short of a title after losing to then lightweight champion, BJ Penn, Sanchez moved back up to his home weight of 170 pounds. Since his return to welterweight Diego has gone 2-1 against top tier competition (all three, however, went to decisions) and is trying to make one last push toward a title run. Sanchez is, like most top UFC welterweights, just waiting for his “big break” against a huge name, like Ellenberger, to boost him into a shot at the coveted title, which is now oddly held by two men (GSP and Carlos Condit).
Ellenberger on the other hand is the “new kid on the block”, so to speak. He’s a wrestler with great, heavy hands, and his progress inside the UFC has been astounding. He’s scored a few big wins, most recently a quick first round KO of former #1 contender, Jake Shields, which catapulted his name into the top contention talks. Since that huge win over Shields last September Ellenberger has been very adamant about his place in the UFCs welterweight division, even going as far as to say that he is very confident that he can knock off St Pierre if given the chance. Well, tonight he’ll have a chance to prove once again that he is worthy of getting a chance to prove that. A win over Sanchez, especially a decisive one, could very well place him at the top of the welterweight contention ladder. His only loss in the UFC came in his promotional debut against the now interim welterweight champion, Carlos Condit, and has since rattled off five straight wins over top names such as Mike Pyle, Carlos Rocha, and Jake Shields, moving his overall MMA record to an impressive 27-5. If Ellenberger can tack on a sixth straight win in the octagon tonight over a high profile name like Diego Sanchez, he may just be the next contender in line.
This fight should prove to be a great matchup between two very driven and talented fighters. Considering what is on the line for both men tonight this fight should truly be a fan pleaser. In my own opinion I think that, due to the athleticism and power of Ellenberger, this fight will be ended within the first two rounds with Jake coming out with the victory. With that being said, Sanchez has one of the best chins the sport has ever seen and his poise and experience inside the UFC octagon may give him the edge. If the fight goes past the first two I’m predicting Sanchez by split decision. With the fight just a few short hours away, I open up the floor for predictions, thoughts, and post-fight reactions. Let the MMA talk begin.
-Jake Chastain
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