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Jake Ellenberger

American mixed martial arts fighter

Field	Value
name	Jake Ellenberger
other_names	The Juggernaut
image	Jake Ellenberger at MMA Holiday Tour at Al Asad Air Base (cropped).jpg
caption	Ellenberger at 2018 MMA Holiday Tour at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq
birth_name	Jake Ellenberger
birth_date
birth_place	Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
weight	170 lb
weight_class	Welterweight
reach	71 in
fighting_out_of	Lake Forest, California, U.S.
team	Kings MMA
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Glendale Fighting Club
rank	Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rodrigo Vaghi
wrestling	NCAA Division II Wrestling
years_active	2005–2018
mma_kowin	21
mma_subwin	4
mma_decwin	6
mma_koloss	7
mma_subloss	2
mma_decloss	6
university	University of Nebraska at Kearney
sherdog	13068
updated	July 20, 2013

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Glendale Fighting Club

Jake Ellenberger (born March 28, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist and former United States Marine who was known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor from 2005–2018, Ellenberger has also formerly competed for the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL, Bodog Fight, and King of the Cage.

Background

Ellenberger, left, grapples with Lt. Col. Andrew Heymann at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, during the MMA Holiday Tour across the Middle East, 2018.

Jake Ellenberger was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Jake's father was an iron worker, and his twin brother named Joe was also an MMA fighter. After starting his career with a 10–0 record, Joe was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disease called Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria when he was 24 years old. Some estimates suggest that roughly half of the people diagnosed with PNH die within 10 years of their diagnosis. Joe still cornered his brother's fights and is a huge inspiration for Jake. Both Jake and Joe were very athletic growing up; Jake was on the swimming and diving team at Millard South High School, while Joe wrestled and played football. Joe won a Nebraska wrestling state title his senior year. Joe then went on to wrestle at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and became a two-time NCAA Division II All-American, finishing third in the country twice and was a three-time academic All-American.

Jake began training for MMA when he saw his friend fight for the welterweight title in the Victory Fighting Championships. He studied psychology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for three years and was on the school's NCAA Division II wrestling team. Following the end of his own wrestling career and acting as assistant coach, Jake helped his alma mater to win back to back National titles. Jake Ellenberger is also a former Marine, having served as a heavy equipment mechanic (military occupational specialty 1341).

Mixed martial arts career

International Fight League

Ellenberger suffered the first loss of his career by unanimous decision to Jay Hieron in his IFL debut. In Ellenberger's second IFL appearance, he defeated Ben Uker by TKO in the second round at IFL: Championship Final. Ellenberger filled in on short notice for an injured Rory Markham and represented Pat Miletich's Quad City Silverbacks at the 2007 Team Championship Final. He suffered his only submission loss to Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Delson Heleno. In his last fight for the promotion, Ellenberger dominated his opponent, Pat Healy over three rounds to win a unanimous decision at IFL: Las Vegas.

BodogFight

At the event entitled Clash of the Nations, held in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ellenberger lost a unanimous decision to UFC veteran Derrick Noble. He then traveled to Costa Rica and defeated another UFC veteran, Zach Light, via TKO at Costa Rica Combat. In his last appearance with BodogFight, Ellenberger knocked out Jose Landi-Jons in just nine seconds.

M-1 Challenge

Ellenberger represented the United States at M-1 Challenges in Japan and South Korea. In his first bout held in Japan, Ellenberger defeated Frenchman Farouk Lakebir by unanimous decision. In his next fight, held in Korea, Ellenberger defeated Doo Won Seo via TKO in round two.

Bellator

Ellenberger won his fight against Marcelo Alfaya at Bellator 11 by knockout just 42 seconds into the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ellenberger stepped in on short notice for an injured Chris Lytle and lost a split decision in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 19 against Carlos Condit.

Ellenberger rebounded by defeating Mike Pyle via second-round TKO on January 2, 2010, at UFC 108.

Ellenberger was set to face Ben Saunders at UFC 111 in Newark, New Jersey as a replacement for the injured Martin Kampmann; however, once Jon Fitch's original opponent, Thiago Alves, was forced out due to a brain irregularity, Saunders requested and was granted a fight against Fitch instead. Due to the last minute switch, Ellenberger was still paid win and show money.

Ellenberger defeated John Howard via third-round TKO at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko. Ellenberger caused Howard's left eye to close after repeatedly landing short elbows and punches from the closed guard.

Ellenberger was expected to face Jon Fitch on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126, but Fitch was pulled from the bout in favor with a matchup with B.J. Penn at UFC 127. Ellenberger instead faced the then-undefeated Carlos Eduardo Rocha at UFC 126 and won the fight via split decision.

Ellenberger faced Sean Pierson on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129, replacing an injured Brian Foster, and won the fight via first-round KO on 17 days notice.

Ellenberger faced Jake Shields on September 17, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 25. He won the fight via TKO only 53 seconds into the first round. The finish earned him a $55,000 Knockout of the Night award.

A bout between Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez was briefly linked to UFC 141. However, a lingering hand injury ended up keeping Sanchez out of action until February 2012.

The Ellenberger/Sanchez bout took place on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1 Ellenberger defeated Sanchez via unanimous decision, in a bout that earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors.

Ellenberger lost to Martin Kampmann via second-round KO (knees) on June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.

Ellenberger was expected to face Josh Koscheck on September 1, 2012, at UFC 151. However, Koscheck pulled out of the bout citing a back injury and was replaced by returning UFC veteran Jay Hieron. Hieron gave Ellenberger his first loss six years earlier. After the UFC 151 event was cancelled, Ellenberger/Hieron took place on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. Ellenberger won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29–28, 29–28).

Ellenberger was expected to face Johny Hendricks on March 16, 2013, UFC 158. However, Hendricks was pulled from the Ellenberger bout in favor of a matchup with Carlos Condit at the event after Condit's original opponent Rory MacDonald, pulled out of the bout with an injury. Ellenberger instead faced returning veteran Nate Marquardt. Ellenberger defeated Marquardt via spectacular first-round knockout. The win also garnered him his second Knockout of the Night bonus.

Ellenberger faced Rory MacDonald on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8. MacDonald was able to use his size and reach advantage to repeatedly land his jab, neutralizing the shorter Ellenberger, resulting in a unanimous decision victory. UFC president Dana White criticized the performance as "lackluster".

Ellenberger was expected to face Tarec Saffiedine on January 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 34. However, in late November, Ellenberger pulled out of the bout citing a hamstring injury and was replaced by Hyun Gyu Lim.

On April 9, 2014, Ellenberger revealed that he had signed an eight-fight contract with UFC with disclosed title clauses should he be a champion in the future.

The bout with Saffiedine was rebooked for UFC 172. However, on March 28, 2014, Saffiedine pulled out of the fight with an undisclosed injury. Ellenberger instead faced Robbie Lawler at UFC 173 on May 24, 2014. He lost the fight via TKO in the third round due to a combination of a knee and punches.

Ellenberger next faced Kelvin Gastelum on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Ellenberger faced Josh Koscheck on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184. Ellenberger won the fight via submission in the second round, his first submission victory in nine years. It also earned Ellenberger a Performance of the Night bonus.

Ellenberger faced Stephen Thompson on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. He lost the fight via KO due to a spinning hook kick and punches in the first round.

Ellenberger faced Tarec Saffiedine on January 30, 2016, at UFC on Fox 18. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Ellenberger faced Matt Brown on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201. He won the fight by TKO in the first round and also picked up a Performance of the Night bonus.

Ellenberger faced Jorge Masvidal on December 3, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale. He lost the fight by TKO in the first round after his foot became entangled in the fence, rendering him unable to defend himself from Masvidal's strikes.

Ellenberger faced Mike Perry on April 22, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov. He lost the fight via KO (elbow) in the second round.

Ellenberger was expected to face Bryan Barberena on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131. However, on March 23, 2018, Barberena pulled out due to injury. He will be replaced by Ben Saunders. Ellenberger lost by TKO after being dropped by knee to the body in the first round.

The pairing with Barberena was rescheduled and took place on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135. Ellenberger lost the fight by TKO in the first round and subsequently announced his retirement from Mixed Martial Arts.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Diego Sanchez
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Josh Koscheck and Matt Brown
- Knockout of the Night (Two times) vs. Jake Shields and Nate Marquardt
- Tied (Matt Brown) for second most knockdowns landed in UFC Welterweight division history (11)
- UFC.com Awards
  - 2009: Ranked #4 Loss of the Year vs. Carlos Condit & Ranked #5 Fight of the Year vs. Carlos Condit
Sherdog
- 2011 All-Violence Second Team
Fight Matrix
- 2005 Rookie of the Year

Mixed martial arts record

other-losses=
Loss
Bryan Barberena
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick

Performance of the Night.
Loss
Tarec Saffiedine
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader

Performance of the Night.
Loss
Kelvin Gastelum
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 180

Knockout of the Night.
Win
Jay Hieron
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot

Fight of the Night.
Win
Jake Shields
TKO (knee and punches)
UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger

| | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Knockout of the Night.
Win
Sean Pierson
KO (punches)
UFC 129

Catchweight (175 lbs) bout.
Win
Brendan Seguin
Decision (unanimous)
VFC 27: Mayhem

Middleweight bout.
Loss
Derrick Noble
Decision (unanimous)
Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations

Doctor stoppage due to cut.
Win
Laverne Clark
Submission (triangle choke)
KOTC 64: Raging Bull

Personal life

On March 1, 2016, at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ellenberger was interviewed in the segment Lie Witness News of talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. He was caught lying about having voted for Donald Trump in the presidential primaries at Super Tuesday that morning, yet the election for California was not held until June 7, 2016. However, multiple people who were previously featured on the segment claimed that the answers were taken out of context; others stated that they were playing along, knowing that it was a joke.

References

"Fight Card - The Ultimate Fighter Finale American Top Team vs. Blackzilians". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship.
"Jake Ellenberger - Official UFC Fighter Profile". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Coach Mike R. (July 28, 2013). "Dear UFC, John Moraga and Jake Ellenberger Were Never Collegiate All-Americans". bloodyelbow.com.
"Omaha Athletics". omavs.com.
"Jake Ellenberger Bio - Omaha Athletics".
"Ellenberger's first loss? Jay Hieron". Newsday.
"Jake Ellenberger vs Ben Uker Fight Result IFL - Championship Final".
"Pat Healy vs. Jake Ellenberger, IFL 20 {{!}} MMA Bout Page {{!}} Tapology".
Hui, Ray. (2010-01-14). "Derrick Noble to Fight Yves Edwards at MFC 24".
"Zach Light".
"Jake Ellenberger vs Jose Landi-Jons Fight Result EFC 5 - Revolution".
"Farouk Lakebir {{!}}".
"Jake Ellenberger vs. Doo Won Seo, M-1 Challenge 6: Korea {{!}} MMA Bout Page {{!}} Tapology".
Cruz, Guilherme. (2013-10-25). "Alfaya wants to beat Fitch and spoil WSOF plans".
Bruce Huckfeldt. "Carlos Condit to face new UFC addition Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 19". mmajunkie.
"Mike Pyle vs. Jake Ellenberger latest addition to UFC 108 card". mmajunkie.com.
"Jon Fitch replaces Jake Ellenberger, meets Ben Saunders on UFC 111 main card". mmajunkie.
"Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard targeted for UFC on Versus 2". MMAjunkie.
(November 1, 2010). "Jon Fitch vs. Jake Ellenberger targeted for UFC 126 in February". mmajunkie.com.
(November 21, 2010). "Jon Fitch vs BJ Penn set to headline UFC 127 in Australia". fighters.com.
(November 30, 2010). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha targeted for UFC 126 main card". mmajunkie.com.
(April 13, 2011). "Ellenberger in for Foster, faces Pierson at UFC 129". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship.
(2011-06-28). "Jake Shields vs. Jake Ellenberger confirmed for "UFC Fight Night 25: Battle on the Bayou"". mmajunkie.com.
MMA Junkie Staff. (2011-09-18). "UFC Fight Night 25 bonuses: Ellenberger, Waldburger, Benoist, Riddle earn $55K awards". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
(September 29, 2011). "Jake Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez scheduled for battle at UFC 141". mmamatrix.com.
(October 24, 2011). "Diego Sanchez on the Mend; Eyeing 2012 UFC Return". mmaweekly.com.
Morgan, John. (November 29, 2011). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Diego Sanchez to headline Feb. 15 UFC event on FUEL TV". mmajunkie.com.
MMA Junkie Staff. (2012-02-16). "UFC on FUEL TV 1 bonuses: Miocic, Menjivar, Ellenberger, Sanchez get $50K awards". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
(March 21, 2012). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann headlines The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale". mmajunkie.com.
(July 18, 2012). "Josh Koscheck vs. Jake Ellenberger booked for UFC 151 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com.
(August 7, 2012). "Josh Koscheck forced out at UFC 151, Jake Ellenberger awaits new opponent". mmajunkie.com.
(August 8, 2012). "Jay Hieron rejoins the UFC, meets Jake Ellenberger at UFC 151". mmajunkie.com.
(August 23, 2012). "With UFC 151 scrapped, Ellenberger-Hieron moved to UFC on FX 5 in Minneapolis". mmajunkie.com.
Grienke, Keith. (December 15, 2012). "GSP to Face Diaz at UFC 158 in Montreal". TopMMANews.com.
John Morgan and Steven Marrocco. (2013-02-18). "Rory MacDonald scratched from UFC 158, Johny Hendricks now meets Carlos Condit". MMAjunkie.com.
Steven Marrocco. (2013-02-19). "Nate Marquardt steps in to meet Jake Ellenberger at UFC 158 in Montreal". MMAjunkie.com.
(March 16, 2013). "UFC 158 bonuses: Ellenberger, Hendricks, Condit score $50,000 awards". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (April 10, 2013). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Rory MacDonald added to July's UFC on FOX 8 in Seattle". mmajunkie.com.
Maggie Hendricks. (July 27, 2013). "Rory MacDonald wins UFC on Fox 8 snoozefest over Jake Ellenberger". sports.yahoo.com.
Dave Doyle. (July 28, 2013). "Dana White on MacDonald vs. Ellenberger: 'That fight sucked so bad'". mmafighting.com.
Staff. (2013-10-12). "Jake Ellenberger-Tarec Saffiedine targeted for UFC's January debut in Singapore". MMAjunkie.com.com.
Dave Doyle. (2013-11-30). "Jake Ellenberger reveals hamstring injury forced him out of UFC Fight Night 34". MMAjfighting.com..
Dann Stupp. (2014-05-05). "UFC 173's Jake Ellenberger: We got 'everything we wanted' with new contract". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (2014-01-24). "Jake Ellenberger says he's fighting Tarec Saffiedine at UFC 172 in April". mmajunkie.com.
MMAjunkie staff. (March 28, 2014). "With Saffiedine injured, Ellenberger vs. Lawler booked for UFC 173". MMAjunkie.com.
Mookie Alexander. (2014-08-26). "Ellenberger vs. Gastelum among four fights confirmed for UFC 180". bloodyelbow.com.
Ben Fowlkes. (2014-11-15). "UFC 180 results: Kelvin Gastelum stuns Jake Ellenberger with first-round choke". mmajunkie.com.
Brian Martin. (2014-12-02). "Josh Koscheck vs. Jake Ellenberger added to UFC 184 at Staples Center". dailynews.com.
Tim Burke. (2014-02-28). "UFC 184 results: Jake Ellenberger submits Josh Koscheck". bloodyelbow.com.
Matt Erickson. (2015-03-01). "UFC 184 bonuses: Of course Ronda Rousey won $50,000. But who joined her?". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (2015-05-15). "UFC Fight Night 70 moves to Florida, gets Machida-Romero; TUF 21 Finale set for Vegas". mmajunkie.com.
Mookie Alexander. (2015-07-12). "TUF 21 Finale result: Stephen Thompson knocks out Jake Ellenberger with spinning hook kick". bloodyelbow.com.
Marc Raimondi. (2015-11-04). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Tarec Saffiedine added to UFC on FOX 18". mmafighting.com.
Brett Okamoto. (2016-05-26). "Matt Brown, Jake Ellenberger matchup added to UFC 201". [[ESPN]].
Steven Marrocco. (2016-07-30). "UFC 201 results: Jake Ellenberger stuns Matt Brown early, then upsets him with body kick". mmajunkie.com.
Steven Marrocco. (2016-07-30). "UFC 201 bonuses: Woodley, Ellenberger, Kowalkiewicz, Namajunas pocket $50K awards". mmajunkie.com.
Staff. (2016-09-28). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Jorge Masvidal booked for December's TUF 24 Finale in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com.
Damon Martin. (2016-12-03). "TUF 24 Finale results: Jorge Masvidal TKOs Jake Ellenberger in bizarre finish after foot gets stuck in cage". foxsports.com.
Dave Doyle. (2017-03-03). "Jake Ellenberger vs. Mike Perry set for UFC Nashville". mmafighting.com.
Ben Fowlkes. (2017-04-23). "UFC Fight Night 108 results: Mike Perry knocks out Jake Ellenberger with devastating elbow". mmajunkie.com.
Alexander K. Lee. (2018-03-20). "Jake Ellenberger meets Bryan Barberena at UFC Utica". mmafighting.com.
(2018-03-23). "Bryan Barberena injured; new UFC Fight Night 131 opponent sought for Jake Ellenberger". MMAjunkie.
(2018-03-30). "Jake Ellenberger gets replacement opponent for UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica". MMAjunkie.
(2018-06-02). "UFC Fight Night 131 results: Ben Saunders takes out Jake Ellenberger with brutal knee". MMAjunkie.
Staff. (2018-07-18). "Bryan Barberena announces UFC Lincoln bout with Jake Ellenberger". mmajunkie.com.
Matt Erickson. (2018-08-25). "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Bryan Barberena stops Jake Ellenberger, who retires after loss". mmajunkie.com.
UFC.com. (May 10, 2023). "UFC Statistics - UFC Welterweight Division". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Thomas Gerbasi. (December 18, 2009). "Ten Best – The Losses of 2009". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
Thomas Gerbasi. (December 21, 2009). "Ten Best – The Fights of 2009". [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]].
"Second Team". sherdog.com.
"MMA Awards".
Dyce, Mark. (2016). "UFC fighter Jake Ellenberger caught lying on Jimmy Kimmel 'Lie Witness News' (Video)".

Info: Wikipedia Source

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