Against a worthy opponent in Diego Sanchez, the rising star that is Jake Ellenberger more than held his own in the main event of UFC on Fuel 1. Winning via unanimous decision, “The Juggernaut” now finds himself in that enviable position of legitimate title contender.
The matchup per se brought to the fore the true warrior in the 28-year-old Ellenberger—taking nothing away from Sanchez, because he’s always worn his heart on his sleeve and on fight night he gave as good as he got, which almost resulted in him being declared the winner in the final frame when he took the back of the former marine.
Now that the Juggernaut has passed one of his sternest tests to date, does he move one rung up the ladder?
Yes, he could, if there were a rung left to set his foot on. But unfortunately, the No. 1 and 2 spots are, at present, monopolized by the UFC’s welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre and interim title holder Carlos Condit.
That however, leaves Ellenberger (27-5 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in his current location of No. 3-ranked 170-pounder.
Though, that could easily change by or before the year’s end if either St-Pierre or Condit were to lose their projected fight, or if the latter came unstuck whilst the Canadian was still in recuperation due to his injuries.
For now, Ellenberger just needs to sit tight and hope fate deals him a few good hands—further continuing his progress to the apogee of the welterweight division.
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