Wednesday, February 15, 2012, the Ultimate Fighting Championship went live from the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska, for UFC on Fuel 1, which featured a welterweight main-event pitting Team Jackson representative Diego Sanchez, and hometown favorite Jake Ellenberger against one another as each man attempted to make a push toward a title opportunity in the stacked 170lb division.
The larger Ellenberger got off to strong start as he stalked Albuquerque’s Sanchez with heavy shots throughout the first round, finding a clean knockdown as the opening frame came to a close.
Smelling the blood of his opponent, it was clear the Reign MMA product had intentions of finishing the bout in the second as he ramped up the aggression and powerful combinations looking for the kill-shot. But Sanchez, as he often does, proved resilient despite a broken nose and survived to see a third although he found difficulty in producing effective offense himself.
The third frame would be a different story, as Sanchez began to find his man’s chin and was able to push forward on a visibly winded Ellenberger. Sensing he needed the finish, Sanchez rushed forward with punches allowing the Omaha wrestling standout to secure another takedown with under two minutes remaining in the bout; but the ensuing scramble would see the TUF Season 1 winner take Ellenberger’s back, eventually gaining full mount for nearly ninety seconds while raining down his notorious ground and pound attack. In the eyes of the judges, it was too little too late however, as Ellenberger escaped to his feet with seconds remaining to secure the 29-28 unanimous decision victory across all three judge’s cards. The headliners would pick up fight of the night for their efforts, earning them each an additional $50 000 in bonus money.
Knockout of the night went to Ohio’s Stipe Miocic who ran through the previously undefeated Philip De Fries in just forty-three seconds, earning him $50 000 and his eighth career victory in as many tries.
While submission of the night was captured by Canada-based veteran Ivan Menjivar who submitted John Albert with a slick Rear Naked Choke in a come-from-behind effort to earn $50 000 and the victory at 3:45 of the opening round.
Full results from UFC on Fuel 1 are found below:
MAIN CARD (FUEL TV)
Jake Ellenberger def. Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Stefan Struve def. Dave Herman via TKO (punches from mount) – Round 2, 3:52
Ronny Markes def. Aaron Simpson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Stipe Miocic def. Philip De Fries via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:43
T.J. Dillashaw def. Walel Watson via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
Ivan Menjivar def. John Albert via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:45
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Jonathan Brookins def. Vagner Rocha via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:32
Justin Salas def. Anton Kuivanen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Tim Means def. Bernado Magalhaes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
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