Jake Ellenberger Meets Stephen Thompson At UFC 189
As if it wasn’t packed enough, July’s UFC 189 pay-per-view event from Las Vegas, Nevada, just got a little more stacked.
UFC officials confirmed that welterweights Jake Ellenberger and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson will square off on the anticipated summer blockbuster card.
A veteran of a lofty 39 mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts, Ellenberger got back into the win column at late February’s UFC 184 by submitting fading Josh Koscheck with a vicious north-south choke. The victory earned him a “Performance of the Night” bonus and snapped a three-fight losing streak.
He’ll look to continue re-building momentum against karate black belt ‘Wonderboy,’ who was last seen defeating Canadian veteran Patrick Cote via unanimous decision at last September’s UFC 178. The touted prospect made a thunderous debut with a flashy knockout of Dan Stittgen at 2012’s UFC 143, but a loss to Matt Brown and some injuries have derailed his perceived rise up the welterweight ranks for the time being.
He’s won his last four UFC bouts since the loss, and will look for his biggest win over a top name in Ellenberger.
Set to take place July 11 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, UFC 189 features the highly awaited featherweight title affair between Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor, and Robbie Lawler will make his first welterweight title defense against Rory MacDonald in the co-main event.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
