Tag: Diego Sanchez

UFC on FUEL TV 1 Results: The Sleeper Hit I Knew It Would Be

Last night, the UFC presented its first officially-numbered “UFC on FUEL TV” event. Featuring an interesting blend of mid-level talent and rising stars, it was an event that reached beyond its network shortcomings.Even though FUEL TV is the…

Last night, the UFC presented its first officially-numbered “UFC on FUEL TV” event. Featuring an interesting blend of mid-level talent and rising stars, it was an event that reached beyond its network shortcomings.

Even though FUEL TV is the lowest on the totem pole of networks the UFC is now affiliated with, this event was still a lot of fun and mostly lived up to my prediction that it would be a “sleeper hit.” Here are the full results, as well as my early commentary for “UFC on FUEL TV 1”.

 

Jake Ellenberger defeats Diego Sanchez by Unanimous Decision.

Stefan Struve defeats Dave Herman by TKO (Strikes) at 3:52 of Round 2.

Ronny Markes defeats Aaron Simpson by Split Decision.

Stipe Miocic defeats Phil De Fries by TKO (Strikes) at 0:43 of Round 1.

T.J. Dillashaw defeats Walel Watson by Unanimous Decision.

Ivan Menjivar defeats John Albert by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 3:45 of Round 1.

Jonathan Brookins defeats Vagner Rocha by KO (Punches) at 1:32 of Round 1.

Justin Salas defeats Anton Kuivanen by Unanimous Decision.

Tim Means defeats Bernardo Magalhaes by Unanimous Decision.

 

As I expected, the prelims delivered some fun action, a few hard-hitting wars and one big “OMG” moment. From this point forward, expect me to stop harping on how good these prelims are. Instead, I’m simply going to accept it as fact that these free fights are always worth watching and that more people should be checking them out.

With that said, I was very impressed by Jonathan Brookins. He seems to be advancing his skills at a very fast rate, and his KO victory over Vagner Rocha was one of the biggest highlight-reel moments of the night.

Speaking of highlight-reel moments, both Ivan Menjivar and Stipe Miocic looked great in their come-from-behind victories. But the best “against the odds” victory had to go to Ronny Markes, who came back from the absolute brink to take a close Split Decision against the always-tough Aaron Simpson.

One of my favorite moments of the night occurred when Stefan Struve dropped and stopped Dave Herman. Like I said in a previous post, amazing moments tend to happen around Stefan Struve. With this aura of unpredictability and excitement once again proving true, Stefan Struve is quickly becoming a “dark horse favorite” of mine.

And in the main event, Jake Ellenberger beat a very game, very tough Diego Sanchez. Diego put it all on the line in this fight—it’s very unfortunate that this main event wasn’t a five-round fight because it looked like Sanchez was making quite the comeback near the end of the third round.

But I won’t take anything from Ellenberger—for two rounds he had the perfect game plan to not only neutralize Diego Sanchez, but to also punish and hurt Diego Sanchez. While I still am a fan of Sanchez, Ellenberger proved that all the newfound hype around him is justified, and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

In the end, I think this show should be considered a big success. I was impressed by the quality of fights on this card, and I definitely liked all the exciting finishes I got to see. “UFC on FUEL” is off to a good start and I look forward to seeing if this series of live events will become the home of the UFC’s “sleeper hits.”

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews, and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.

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UFC on Fuel Results: Memorable Moments from Omaha

The first UFC event on Fuel TV is over.Jake Ellenberger defeated Diego Sanchez and solidified his place in the top echelon of the division. There were other happenings on the fight card that turned what seemed like a low-level, unimportant event o…

The first UFC event on Fuel TV is over.

Jake Ellenberger defeated Diego Sanchez and solidified his place in the top echelon of the division. 

There were other happenings on the fight card that turned what seemed like a low-level, unimportant event on Fuel into something that was truly memorable. 

What were the memorable moments from Omaha? Read on and find out!

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UFC on FUEL Aftermath Pt. 1: The Last Exorcism


(The power of YES!! compels you! Check out some of the meme-worthy photoshops over at The UG.) 

Over the past week or so, the sports world has come down with a serious case of LINsanity, a now airborne disease that mimics the effects of Yellow Fever and is brought about by way of bereavement. Though it was the general consensus that this mind altering sickness originated with the uncanny rise of New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, last night’s inaugural UFC on FUEL event opened our collective eyes to the virus’ true host: Diego fucking Sanchez.

Yes, it seems that ever since Diego suffered his first professional losses, which came in back-to-back fashion at the hands of Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch at UFC 69 and 76, the man has become consumed by a mixture of evangelical optimism and bipolar rage to the point of parody. As he made his way to the octagon for his main event clash with top contender Jake Ellenberger last night, it quickly became apparent that it was Sanchez who was in need of an exorcism, which made the Gregorian monk feel of his entrance appear all the more ironic.


(The power of YES!! compels you! Check out some of the meme-worthy photoshops over at The UG.) 

Over the past week or so, the sports world has come down with a serious case of LINsanity, a now airborne disease that mimics the effects of Yellow Fever and is brought about by way of bereavement. Though it was the general consensus that this mind altering sickness originated with the uncanny rise of New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, last night’s inaugural UFC on FUEL event opened our collective eyes to the virus’ true host: Diego fucking Sanchez.

Yes, it seems that ever since Diego suffered his first professional losses, which came in back-to-back fashion at the hands of Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch at UFC 69 and 76, the man has become consumed by a mixture of evangelical optimism and bipolar rage to the point of parody. As he made his way to the octagon for his main event clash with top contender Jake Ellenberger last night, it quickly became apparent that it was Sanchez who was in need of an exorcism, which made the Gregorian monk feel of his entrance appear all the more ironic.

And for the first two and a half rounds, it looked like Sanchez’s mental state was really starting to have an adverse effect on his physical abilities. As in his fights with Martin Kampmann, B.J. Penn, and John Hathaway, Sanchez seemed content to charge head first into the quicker, more accurate punches of “Ingleburger,” getting rocked on more than one occasion as a result. Perhaps that is how sociopaths set up their takedowns, or perhaps he simply didn’t give a shit, because despite getting significantly outgunned on both the feet and the ground, Sanchez all but refused to alter his gameplan in the slightest. Due to the fact that Sanchez’s striking has not evolved to the level of his counterparts, we can expect to see a lot more of this in his future. No one will ever doubt “The Dream’s” chin, because that is the only thing about Sanchez that seems stable at this point in his career. However, when Sanchez managed to get Ellenberger’s back late in the third, we were treated to some vintage “Nightmare” ground-and-pound. This is, and has always been where the former lightweight title challenger thrives, and when he gets ANYONE on their back, they best prepare for a hellstorm of punches that can only be described as suffocating. If only he would do it more often.

The one thing I came away with from the Sanchez/Ellenberger scrap is that the UFC needs to decide on whether main event fights will be scheduled for three or five rounds, rather than catering this criteria to each event. If there had been two more rounds last night, Sanchez’s cardio could have very easily changed the outcome of the fight, as it was evident that Ellenberger was beginning to fade. It’s time to make the five round main event a standard, Dana, because if Munoz/Leben warranted it, how in the hell didn’t this fight?

As for Ellenberger, it seems that he is destined for either a rematch with Carlos Condit, depending on how long GSP will be out, or a possible match with the Koscheck/Hendricks winner to determine the true number one contender of the welterweight division. Our vote is for the former. His loss to Condit was both hotly contested and his only UFC loss to date, and after taking down two former title challengers in a row (granted, in different weight classes) he has clearly set himself apart from the rest of the pack, and deserves another crack at “The Natural Born Killer.”

In the night’s co-main event, Stefan Struve managed to utilize his superior ground game to finish off Dave Herman with strikes from the mount after dropping him in the second round. While undoubtedly a big win for Struve, the fight showed that his striking game, like Sanchez’s, is still a work in progress. The man stands at 6’11”, and despite this, has shown time and time again that he cannot keep his shorter opponents at bay. If GSP can use a jab to pick apart whoever he damn well pleases, then no one should be able to get within swinging distance of a “Skyscraper” like Struve, yet men as short as Roy Nelson have managed to find his off button as a result of his inability to maintain distance. If he ever wants to fight top of the division guys, he better learn to stick that jab, or suffer the consequences. Herman, on the other hand, might want to start buying into this whole “Jiu-Jitsu” thing, because his mount defense, which could only be described as “unorthodox” by announcer Kenny Florian, appeared to have been taught to him by Art Jimmerson.

Join us for part two this afternoon, in which we break down the rest of UFC on FUEL’s main card and a couple fights from the undercard as well.

-J. Jones

UFC on Fuel 1: Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger Remind Us Why We Love MMA

Diego Sanchez came to the cage with a crucifix, holding it out from his body, keeping it at a safe distance. He looked upon the body of his fallen savior with an expression that could be read many ways. Was he angry? Inspired? Inspired by his own glori…

Diego Sanchez came to the cage with a crucifix, holding it out from his body, keeping it at a safe distance. He looked upon the body of his fallen savior with an expression that could be read many ways. Was he angry? Inspired? Inspired by his own glorious anger?

He spoke to this cross the whole way too. Whether it was a curse or a prayer, no one can really say. We’ve seen religious iconography in mixed martial arts before.

Who could possibly forget Kimo Leopaldo making the long walk to the Octagon with a giant wooden cross on his back? But Diego Sanchez rose to the occasion with a record level of lunacy.

If Kimo Leopaldo was a believer, Diego Sanchez was a zealot. The difference, you see, is in the eyes. Diego’s burned with the power of truth.

He paced back and forth before his fight with Jake Ellenberger was officially under way. Some fighters might picture themselves as the matador, full of art, science, and angles, looking to create a beautiful fight.

Anderson Silva comes to mind here, all mastery, elegant in his brutality. Diego Sanchez is different. When Diego paces back and forth, when his face contorts into an outrageous frown, when his mean mug goes past angry and into self parody, he clearly doesn’t see himself as the matador. Diego Sanchez is the bull.

Against Jake Ellenberger, the bull was chopped to pieces. For two rounds, Sanchez would charge and Ellenberger would counter. It was an amazing display of fighting from Ellenberger. He was ready for the bull, and met him head on with counter punches, takedowns, and a veteran’s savvy. And then the bull found his target.

When you are the matador, you need to be perfect. There is no room for error. Because the bull thrives on blood, whether it’s his or yours is seemingly an insignificant detail. When Sanchez found his opening in the third round, he made the most of it. Punch after glorious punch rained down. On another day, the official might have stopped the fight. This was not that day.

“I went for the stoppage. I should have gone for the choke out,” Sanchez said on Fuel TV’s Post Fight special. “I had him flattened out and usually with that pace of punches, the ref will stop the fight, but he was showing enough life so the ref wouldn’t stop it.”

When the decision was rendered, the matador had his hand raised. But no one was fooled. The bull had found his target. In a less civilized world, there is no doubt who would have left a darkened alley, had the fight taken place there instead of the octagon.

But we live in that more urbane and sophisticated world. We fight for sport, not for life. And the matador was just brilliant enough to win. Who, though, doesn’t feel a sense of pride in the bull. Poked and prodded, near to death, he continued to charge. With the deck stacked against him, he almost triumphed.

It’s a compelling story, one that has been told many times in the cage, and one I will never tire of hearing. Diego Sanchez versus Jake Ellenberger. Heart versus mind. Science versus savagery. Man versus beast. Give me more. This is why we watch.

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UFC on FUEL 1 Results: What We Learned from Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger is a top welterweight and the next opponent for the eventual winner of Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre.He proved tonight that he is just too talented to be anything else than a No. 1 contender, and that he should be mentioned with …

Jake Ellenberger is a top welterweight and the next opponent for the eventual winner of Carlos Condit and Georges St-Pierre.

He proved tonight that he is just too talented to be anything else than a No. 1 contender, and that he should be mentioned with the rest of the sport’s elite.

While the fight stayed on its feet most of the time, even when it went to the floor, Ellenberger was in charge. From raining blows down on Sanchez’s head to staying on top and winning ground control, he excelled.

The only scare was in the third round when Sanchez had him on the ground and was pummeling him with punches. Ellenberger showed the one thing that fans look for in a contender.

He showed determination.

He didn’t finish the round while in a negative situation and just let the clock run out. He pushed hard to regain his control and finish strong.

Making a mistake may cost him against fighters like Condit, who Ellenberger already has a split decision loss from, or Georges St-Pierre. The ability to come back from those mistakes and stay calm is what makes him a worthy challenger and a good matchup.

Ellenberger didn’t just prove himself to be a great mixed martial artist.

He proved that he is on the top of the division and punched his card to the main events and top billings that have eluded him thus far.

He did it by putting on an exciting fight and showing that every aspect of his game is honed and ready. While it will need some sharpening to stay ready for the unified welterweight champion, whoever that might be, he has sent a message to fans and future opponents.

Don’t overlook him or you’ll regret it.

Message received.

 

Matthew Hemphill writes for the MMA and professional wrestling portion of Bleacher Report.  He also hosts a blog elbaexiled.blogspot.com that focuses on books, music, comic books, video games, film and generally anything that could be related to the realms of nerdom.


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UFC on Fuel TV Results: The Real Winners and Losers from Sanchez vs. Ellenberger

The UFC made its debut on Fuel TV earlier this year when the channel played host to the preliminary fights prior to UFC on FOX, but Wednesday night was the first time when Fuel TV got its own full fight card. The event headlined by welterweights Jake …

The UFC made its debut on Fuel TV earlier this year when the channel played host to the preliminary fights prior to UFC on FOX, but Wednesday night was the first time when Fuel TV got its own full fight card.

The event headlined by welterweights Jake Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez lived up to the quality of a typical UFC event as there were numerous impressive finishes and exciting bouts.

In the end it was Jake Ellenberger who was the big winner of the night, earning a victory in the main event and further cementing himself as one of the top welterweight contenders in the sport.

He wasn’t the only winner, though, and a few of the biggest winners and losers didn’t even compete on the February 15 fight card. Let’s take a closer look at who the real winners and losers were from UFC on Fuel TV.  

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