10 QUESTIONS WITH JAKE ELLENBERGER

By Joyce Lynda Valdes

As news leaks that UFC Welterweight, Jake Ellenberger will be getting a crack at the #2 ranked Welterweight in the world, MMAFix decided to ask Ellenberger 10 burning questions. Jake Ellenberger took some time out from training in Hawaii to sit down at his computer and explain to us why he […]

By Joyce Lynda Valdes

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As news leaks that UFC Welterweight, Jake Ellenberger will be getting a crack at the #2 ranked Welterweight in the world, MMAFix decided to ask Ellenberger 10 burning questions. Jake Ellenberger took some time out from training in Hawaii to sit down at his computer and explain to us why he calls Jake Shields, “Miss Piggy” and why he thinks he’s been asked to fight Jon Fitch at UFC 126.

1. Okay, I’ve seen your Twitter talk to Jake Shields. Why did you dub him “Miss Piggy”? And are you not a fan of McDonald’s dollar menu?

JE: Miss Piggy is fitting for Shields for his softness when he fights. Also his feminine charm reminds me of Miss Piggy from the Muppet Show.

2. I’ve read that Jake Shields ducked a fight with you some time ago. Can you explain that?

JE: Easy, I signed a contract to fight him, his dad pulled him out. Weak move.

3. So is it safe to say you were unimpressed with Shield’s Decision win against Martin Kampmann? What did you think of Kampmann’s performance? He told us he put in a shitty performance and wasn’t happy with himself.

JE: Jake Shields always seems to have an excuse. News Flash, everyone cuts weight in the upper echelon of the UFC, I cut 20 pounds to make welterweight, and I walk around at 205. When you are a professional athlete, you have the right people are in place around you, and decisions can be made about situations like this. If it’s too hard to make 170, either compete at middleweight or cut the weight and don’t complain.

4. How much can you confirm that there will be a bout between you and Jon Fitch at UFC 126?

JE: That is the rumor…

5. Jon Fitch is the number 2 ranked Welterweight in the world but is often criticized for not putting on the most exciting performances. How do you feel about Fitch?

JE: Jon Fitch is a great fighter and no one but GSP has beaten him in a long time. He has solid wrestling, good hands, smothering top game, and a good guard. Like any other guy, he has holes in his game though in which I will try to exploit.

6. We know you put on exciting fights. What you did to John Howard’s face was very impressive at UFC on Versus 2. What do yousay to people who are a little surprised though at your rapid flight up the ranks to get an opportunity at Jon Fitch?

JE: Joe and Dana are the best in the business for a reason and they make matchups for exciting fights. I will always have an exciting fight!

7. Do you agree as some MMA analysts have said, that Fitch has far more to lose than you do if he takes a loss to you?

JE: Sure, I agree. Everyone in a fight has something to lose.

8. It may be fair to say the UFC Welterweight division is the most stacked division they have with all four of the top ranked MMA Welterweights in the world fighting in the promotion. Other top 10 fighters, for instance in the UFC Light Heavyweight division like Jon Jones and Matt Hamill have yet to receive a top 5 fighter, why do you think you are getting this outstanding opportunity?

JE: My job is to fight, that’s it. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight a top 5 guy, and any other professional fighter would take advantage of this opportunity as well.

9. If you can beat Jon Fitch and have the chance to pick your next opponent, Title shot not a factor, who would you choose to fight? GSP or Jake Shields? Shields has said that he would prefer Georges St. Pierre over Josh Koscheck because beating St. Pierre would be more prestigious. How do you feel?

JE: Shields, he will not beat me. EVER.

10. What do you want MMA fans to expect from you going into your next fight? …that you can finish Fitch?…that you will put on an exciting show?…that you can smack talk better than Chael Sonnen?

JE: I always have exciting fights, and look forward to becoming a world champion.

The MMA Hour Featuring Phil Davis, Mauro Ranallo, MC Hammer

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, Strikeforce, FanHouse Exclusive, VideosMonday’s live edition of The MMA Hour will be broadcast from San Diego, site of UFC on Versus 2.

We will first be joined by rising star light heavyweight Phil Davis, who is stepping…

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Monday’s live edition of The MMA Hour will be broadcast from San Diego, site of UFC on Versus 2.

We will first be joined by rising star light heavyweight Phil Davis, who is stepping in on short notice to face Rodney Wallace at UFC 117 this weekend.

We will also be joined by Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo and MMA Fighting’s Ben Fowlkes to look back on Sunday’s card and other news and notes making headlines in the MMA world.

And finally, MC Hammer, yes, I said MC Hammer, will stop by to talk about getting involved in the MMA management world with Alchemist MMA.

Check out the show below live beginning at 1 PM ET.

Even on a Small-Time Card, Jon Jones Gets Big-Time Exposure

Filed under: UFCAfter dismantling Vladimir Matyushenko in just under two minutes at UFC on Versus 2 last night, Jon Jones woke up early this morning, put on a nice suit, and sat down for a quick chat with ESPN’s SportsCenter.

Nothing spectacular came…

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After dismantling Vladimir Matyushenko in just under two minutes at UFC on Versus 2 last night, Jon Jones woke up early this morning, put on a nice suit, and sat down for a quick chat with ESPN’s SportsCenter.

Nothing spectacular came out of the appearance. He came off as humble, yet confident – the always elusive down-to-earth pro athlete. He cracked a smile while admitting that a UFC ban on elbows would wreak havoc on his game plan, and, when asked who he’d like to fight next, he even resisted what must have been an overwhelming urge to tell James Toney exactly what would happen if the boxer attempted to follow through on his plan to slap Jones in the face.

After Return to Octagon, John McCarthy Not Assigned to Officiate at UFC 117

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, News After a return to the UFC octagon officiating three bouts during the UFC on Versus 2 event this past weekend, popular veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy will not be a presence at the upcoming UFC 117.

A Cali…

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After a return to the UFC octagon officiating three bouts during the UFC on Versus 2 event this past weekend, popular veteran referee “Big” John McCarthy will not be a presence at the upcoming UFC 117.

A California state athletic commission representative confirmed to MMA Fighting that McCarthy has not been assigned to referee any fights for the upcoming pay-per-view, which takes place on Aug. 7 from Oracle Arena in Oakland.

The same commission assigned McCarthy to work on UFC on Versus 2, which emanated from San Diego.

Falling Action: Best and Worst of UFC on Versus 2

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If you’re among the people who think Vladimir Matyushenko was the victim of an early stoppage in his loss to Jon Jones at UFC on Versus 2 last night, perhaps you should go back to the video and take a look at the expression on Matyushe…

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If you’re among the people who think Vladimir Matyushenko was the victim of an early stoppage in his loss to Jon Jones at UFC on Versus 2 last night, perhaps you should go back to the video and take a look at the expression on Matyushenko’s face after the bout was halted. What you see there is disappointment, but not indignation.

The fight may have been just under two minutes long, but that was long enough for Matyushenko – and referee Herb Dean – to see where it was headed. Matyushenko had no answer to Jones’ flurry of elbows, and he knew it. Taking a few more of them would have proved nothing, except perhaps the Belarussian’s willingness to take an unnecessary beating for his cash.

The win was a fairly predictable one for Jones, but still impressive. There’s simply no one quite like him in the light heavyweight division right now. That’s the good news. The bad news is, any more fights against outmatched opponents and fans are going to start getting bored. The guy’s so exciting to watch, it’d be great to see him in a televised bout that goes longer than a few minutes.

Now that that’s out of the way, on to the winners and losers from last night’s fights:

UFC on Versus 2 Live Blog: Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard Updates

This is the UFC on Versus 2 live blog for Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard, a welterweight bout on tonight’s televised UFC card in San Diego, Calif.

Howard enters this fight on a seven-fight win streak, four of which in the UFC. Ellenberger is coming …

This is the UFC on Versus 2 live blog for Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard, a welterweight bout on tonight’s televised UFC card in San Diego, Calif.

Howard enters this fight on a seven-fight win streak, four of which in the UFC. Ellenberger is coming off a TKO win over Mike Pyle at UFC 108 in January.

The live blog is below.