In the weeks leading up to their pivotal welterweight scrap, Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger promised a dogfight that would rival the early candidates for ‘Fight of the Year.’ On Wednesday night, they delivered on that promise.
Sanchez and Elllenberger unleashed a wild three-round affair at the main event of UFC on FUEL, delighting the Omaha crowd with a number of furious exchanges and a late swing in momentum that almost saw “The Dream” steal the show. In the end, Ellenberger may have emerged the victor, pocketing a unanimous decision (29-28, x3) to the glee of his hometown crowd, but the result was not without its critics.
As Bruce Buffer tallied the judges’ scorecards, a flood of professional fighters took to Twitter, sounding off on everything from the lack of five rounds to cries for a draw. Surprisingly, even the usually Twitter-averse Nick Diaz let his opinion be known, and needless to say, it was everything you’d expect.
Diego Sanchez won regardless what the judges think that’s what the fight showed !
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) February 16, 2012
Sad night for old Jake E had this been real shit he would be dead!
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) February 16, 2012
Why wasn’t that 5 rds.??? When did they stop doin that
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) February 16, 2012
“@baggersapparel: @KSOSufcsick……. Fight…!!!!”last 2 min were rough
— Krzysztof Soszynski (@KSOSufc) February 16, 2012
I think diego and ellenburger are gonna take my fotn bonus hahaha those guys are warriors
— john albert (@UFCPrinceAlbert) February 16, 2012
DRAW !!!!!!!!!!!!!1! Sanchez vs Ellenberger #UFConFuel
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 16, 2012
Ellenberger won rounds 1,2 . Diego was winning 10-9 landing big before he took Jakes back. He took (cont) tl.gd/fukk9m
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 16, 2012
“@TomKongWatson: I’m confused I thought all @ufc main events were 5 round fights now?”that’s what I thought!!!
— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) February 16, 2012
Diego Sanchez is a whack job!!!! talented but bat s**** crazy
— Brian Rogers (@BRogthePredator) February 16, 2012
Y wasn’t this 5 rounds?
— Luke Rockhold (@rockholdMMA) February 16, 2012
Diego makes a lot of excuses but his fights always put a smile on my face! He should never b cut, I think I saw him growling at one point!
— Luke Rockhold (@rockholdMMA) February 16, 2012
Ellenberger by UD IMO
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) February 16, 2012
What a scrap #UFConFUEL
— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) February 16, 2012
3rd rnd 10-8 Sanchez, tie fight 28-28 #ryanjimmo
— Ryan Jimmo (@RyanJimmo) February 16, 2012
WWWOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!!Diego Sanchez got HEART!!!!
— Adam Schindler (@Schindiggity) February 16, 2012
Think the @Ufc fight should of been 5 rounds! Great main event to do so
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) February 16, 2012
The question is do u score the last Rd10-8, if u did Sanchez escapes with a draw
— todd moore (@TMooreMMA) February 16, 2012
Great MAIN EVENT! Hats off to both Sanchez and Ellenberger..they went to war!
— Mike Massenzio (@MikeMassenzio) February 16, 2012
Diego Sanchez always great to wach
— Vitor Vianna (@VitorViannaMMA) February 16, 2012