LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 126 live blog for Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha, a welterweight bout on tonight's UFC pay-per-view card from the Mandalay Bay Events Center.Ellenberger (23-5) has won his last two UFC fights against John Howard and Mike Pyle. Rocha (9-0) won his UFC debut last November with a kneebar submission over Kris McCray.
The live blog is below.
Round 1: Ellenberger launches into a takedown early, but Rocha reverses position. Back standing quickly as Rocha pushes him against the cage. Ellenberger slams Rocha down into side control. Rocha escapes back to his feet. Lots of grappling as expected. Rocha rushes in for the takedown, and now he's in side control. Rocha setting up a kimura but gives it up to move to north-south. Ellenberger makes his move and Rocha counters by taking his back. Ellenberger scrambles but Rocha ends on top again. Rocha was controlling but Ellenberger works free with a minute left. Rocha tries a spin kick but misses badly. Rocha dives low for a takedown. Ellenberger defends. Rocha tries an Americana and Ellenberger works free. Amazing grappling by both. Rocha, 10-9 in a close round.
Round 2: Ellenberger with a great opening flurry, scoring several knees from the clinch that land clean. Rocha dives low but Ellenberger punishes him with right hands. Rocha lands a left high kick midway through but Ellenberger shrugs it off. Ellenberger's jab is beginning to back Rocha up a bit, but he can't land anything behind it. Ellenberger moves in for a takedown and lands it with 20 seonds left. Rocha tries to throw up a triangle but there's no time left. Ellenberger, 10-9.
Round 3: Ellenberger is the busier fighter early, landing his jab. Rocha tries to duck low but Ellenberger holds him off. Rocha tries to fall into guard, but Ellenberger doesn't want to play on the ground and stays upright. Ellenberger scores with a hard right after catching a Rocha kick. Two minutes left. Rocha goes for a head kick with a minute left, but Ellenberger dodged it. Rocha went down hoping Ellenberger would follow him. Nope. Ellenberger got a takedown with 30 seconds left. That might seal the round for him. MMA Fighting scores it for Ellenberger, 10-9.
Winner: Jake Ellenberger via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
.fanhouseButton {margin:2em 0;} .fanhouseButton a:link, .fanhouseButton a:visited, .fanhouseButton a:hover, .fanhouseButton a:active {background-color:#dd2829;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:18px;padding:0.3em 0.6em;text-decoration:none;} .fanhouseButton a:hover {background-color:#000000;}
Get the latest gear
