Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.• When: First bout at 5 p.m. Wednesday
• Where: Civic Auditorium
• TV: Coverage starts at 7 p.m. on Fuel TV
• Radio: None
• Photo Showcase: Jake Ellenberger
• Video: Tuesday's UFC weigh-in
• MMA Blog: Behind the scenes with trainer Riley Ross
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Jake Ellenberger has seen his picture on plenty of fight posters. He's been in plenty of cities and been in plenty of big fights.
None quite like this one, though.
The Omaha native headlines the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first-ever dedicated card on Fuel TV when he takes on fellow welterweight contender Diego Sanchez on Wednesday night at the Civic Auditorium. The first bout is set for 5 p.m., with the event to go live on Fuel at 7.
"It's kind of crazy just how things work out," Ellenberger said. "It's exciting, for sure. I'm stoked."
The Ellenberger-Sanchez showdown is the main event of the 10-fight card. The UFC's only other visit to Omaha came in September 2008, with Houston Alexander — another Omaha fighter — as the headliner.
Ellenberger (26-5) was in attendance that night and said Tuesday the thought of fighting in front of a hometown crowd definitely crossed his mind.
"It's kind of a weird goal to have, but here we are three years later and I'm headlining it," he said. "It's kind of crazy."
A win over Sanchez (25-4) would establish Ellenberger in a division that has been shaken up recently. The three fighters in front of Ellenberger in the latest rankings have been in the headlines in the last couple of weeks.
Former champion Georges St. Pierre is still ranked No. 1 despite a knee injury that has shelved him. That left Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit to fight for the vacant belt.
Condit beat Diaz earlier this month, and a rematch was already in the works before Diaz failed a drug test, leaving his future in the sport a bit cloudy.
UFC President Dana White said Wednesday's result could go a long way in helping sort things out atop the 170-pound division.
"This is a real important fight," White said. "A win over Diego Sanchez is a big deal. It's a good name to have on your résumé. As far as Diego goes, Diego's been off awhile with an injury. He's coming back, and taking out Jake Ellenberger in his hometown is a big win for him, too.
"So this is a big fight. Not only for both the guys, but for that weight division."
White also heaped praise on Ellenberger, who has shot up the charts in one of the sport's toughest divisions.
"He's mean and nasty, man," White said. "The kid's a good fighter. He's well-rounded."
Ellenberger spent the majority of his training for the fight in California, but has been back in Omaha the last couple of weeks. He said he's looking forward to the local support Wednesday, but won't leave town happy with just a warm welcome.
"I'm here for business," he said. "I've got to be ready to compete. When you get in the octagon, you've got to be ready to battle."
Since losing a split decision to Condit in 2009, Ellenberger has reeled off five straight victories, including first-round knockouts his last two times out.
Sanchez is another major challenge. Once one of the top fighters in the division, he's currently ranked 10th. Injuries have kept him out since March of last year.
It was a little more than two years ago, though, that he was fighting B.J. Penn for a belt.
"This is a big test for the hometown boy," White said.
But one that hometown boy says he's ready for.
"I've really been focused on this fight for the last three months," Ellenberger said. "It's been the best training camp I've had. Everything has gone smoother than it has for any other fight. It's finally here, and I'm excited to compete."
Contact the writer:
402-850-0781, nickrubek@gmail.com
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• Video: See the weigh-in with Jake Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez:
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