The tip-top of the welterweight division may be in a state of suspended animation, but Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann will attempt to continue their respective rises towards top contender status at Friday night’s TUF Live finale.
Ellenberger (27-5) will take his six-fight win streak and a one-pound advantage into their five-round main event at The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas. He checked in at 171 pounds.
Kampmann (19-5) was 170.
Ellenberger comes in with consecutive victories over top 10 fighters Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez while Kampmann has back-to-back wins over Thiago Alves and Rick Story, respectively.
The TUF tournament finale features underdog Michael Chiesa trying to cap off his feel-good story, but he’ll have to defeat teammate and Team Faber No. 1 pick Al Iaquinta to do it.
Chiesa suffered the loss of his father during the season, and then had to win two straight come-from-behind fights to advance to the finals. Iaquinta advanced on the strength of a unanimous decision over Vinc Pichel in the semis.
Chiesa weighed in at 156, a one-pound advantage over Iaquinta.
Main Card
Jake Ellenberger (171) vs. Martin Kampmann (170)
Mike Chiesa (156) vs. Al Iaquinta (155)
Jonathan Brookins (146) vs. Charles Oliveira (144)
Max Holloway (145) vs. Pat Schilling (145)
Justin Lawrence (155) vs. John Cofer (155)
Preliminary Card
Chris Tickle (154) vs. Daron Cruickshank (155)
Myles Jury (155) vs. Chris Saunders (156)
Cristiano Marcello (156) vs. Sam Sicilia (155)
Jeremy Larsen (155) vs. Joe Proctor (156)
John Albert (136) vs. Erik Perez (134)