Jake Ellenberger claimed a unanimous decision win over Jay Hieron tonight in the co-main event of UFC On FX 5, but it wasn’t his most exciting performance.
Both fighters were a little reluctant to step into the others range as they began to feel each other out in the opening minutes of the first round.
First to really make his mark was Ellenberger who connected with a short flurry of strikes that backed Hieron up.
That really was the only signficant moment of the round other than a takedown attempt from Hieron which Ellenberger was smartly able to hop out of.
The second round began much like the first. Mid-way through Ellenberger suddenly shot for a takedown and secured it nicely. An elbow strike banged down on Hieron’s head and opened up a slight cut high up on his nose and across his right cheek, but soon after he was back to his feet.
Both men were still a little hesitant to engage in the remaining time in the round, and so it was all down to the final round to split these two welterweights.
Despite the close nature of the fight neither man was really going all out for the finish early in the third. Ellenberger set up a takedown with a punch at one stage, but wasn’t able to make it stick and Hieron was straight back up.
The two traded leg kicks, with Hieron landing with a little more frequency. With a minute to go Ellenberger charges in for another takedown, but Hieron escapes.
Both men continue fighting cautiously, apparently happy to leave this one in the hands of judges, though Ellenberger does launch a final flurry of punches with a few seconds left, causing Hieron to stumble, perhaps due to a loss of footing rather than anything else.
So the verdict is up to the judges and they unanimously declare Ellenberger the winner (29-28 x3).
overall, a disappointing co-main event that unfortunately never came to life.
