Jake Ellenberger vs. Tarec Saffiedine Official For UFC 172

(Herb Dean: awesome referee, terrible for interrupting post fight drinks orders)

Jake Ellenberger was originally slated to face Tarec Saffiedine in a Welterweight showdown at Fight Night 34, before ‘The Juggernaut’ was injured and subsequently replaced by Hyun Gyu Lim. ‘Sponge’ and Lim fought to an exciting decision with Saffiedine emerging the victor after nearly being finished in the final round.

Well, it appears that Ellenberger’s injury woes are behind him, as he is now booked to face Saffiedine at UFC 172 in Baltimore. The news was confirmed by the UFC via twitter:

New welterweight bout added to #UFC172 card in Baltimore: @tarecfighter vs @EllenbergerMMA. Tickets on sale February 5th!

— UFC News (@UFCNews) January 24, 2014

Ellenberger has been out of competition since his thoroughly disappointing decision loss to Rory MacDonald, last July. The fight was originally marketed as a number one contender bout, but the lacklustre nature of the fight meant Rory Mac got fed to a hungry Robbie Lawler and the rest is history.

Saffiedine will look to make it six on the bounce against Ellenberger and ‘The Juggernaut’ should look to keep this one from going to the judges. Saff has won six of his last seven wins, and his relentless leg attacks could well lead him to another victory at 172, that is if Ellenberger can’t figure him out.