Since arriving in the UFC, Jake Ellenberger has always been in exciting fights. He's had spectacular finishes, fought split decisions and suffered defeat after seeming on the verge of sure victory. Returning after his most bitter loss, a knockout to Martin Kampmann in June, Ellenberger returned with a conservative style at UFC on FX 5.
While his new approach didn't agree with fans, it did win sway with the judges, as he earned a unanimous decision over Jay Hieron by identical scores of 29-28.
The victory avenged the first loss of Ellenberger's career, which came against Hieron while both were in the IFL back in 2006.
Ellenberger never came close to finishing Hieron, using a patient striking style from the outside. He did take Hieron down twice and on one of those occasions, did some damage from the top position with short elbows, leading to a cut on Hieron's face.
Hieron was able to get back to his feet both times, but he had trouble sustaining any offense over the duration of the three-round co-main event. By the final round, the crowd was booing, but the win still had to feel good for Ellenberger.
He's now 28-6.
Hieron was fighting in the UFC for the first time in seven years, but he'll have to wait for another opportunity to earn his first octagon win. With the loss, he fell to 23-6.