UFC on Fuel TV 1: Sanchez vs Ellenberger full report

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar Zevallos

Tonight from Omaha, Neb. Jon Anik and Kenny Florian are calling the action tonight; in the UFC first return to Omaha since 2008.

Lightweight 155lbs 

BERNARDO MAGALHAES (@BernardoTrekko) 11-1 VS. TIM MEANS (@meanstim) 16-3-1

Round 1 - They touch gloves and Magalhaes is jumping in and out with leg kicks to the front legs and quick jabs. Means is trying to land the jab between Magalhaes arms. Means defends takedown and lands a knee. Means with another knee. Magalhaes with a big right hand that draws a smile from Means. Means with a knee to the jaw and jab to follow. Means jumps on him as he falls to the ground and tries to get a darth choke. Magahaes with a nice sweep to get on top and out of danger. They get back to their feet quickly. Means with a thai plum clinch and more knees. These knees are landing pretty easy forr the 6'2" Means on the shorter Magalhaes. Means with a grazing head kick at the horn. I would give the round 10-9 to Means

Round 2 - Magalhaes looking for the single leg but can't get it. Magalhaes is trying to work the angles but Means keeps cutting him off and getting punches in when he gets close. Magalhaes nice left hook. He goes for the takedown and Means lands an elbow and escapes. Means keeps pressing forward and making Magalhaes circle. Means with a body shot and they drop to the ground with 20 seconds remaining. Means lands a couple hammer fist and then backs off so Magalhaes can stand back up. Means 10-9

Round 3 - Magalhaes comes out and his right foot is swelling up. He has given up on the leg kicks since the first round. Magalhaes with big winging overhand punches and tries for a takedown and Means escapes. When they are on their feet Means is controlling the action with his 7 inch reach advantage landing straights any time Magalhaes is within reach. Magahlaes keeps trying for a takedown and finally gets a single leg after 8 tries but Means gets right up. Means with a body shot that drops Magalhaes and he lets him stand back up as he doesn't want to get on the ground with him. Magalhaes tries to wrap up another single leg and Means makes him pay drilling him with punches and an elbow that cuts open the side of Magalhaes head. More knees from Means as the fight ends. 10-8 Means.

Judges score 30-27, 30-26, 30-26 for the Dirty Bird Tim Means

Lightweight 155lbs

ANTON KUIVANEN (@AntonKuivanen) VS. JUSTIN SALAS (@justinsalasmma)

Round 1 - Salas fighting in a southpaw stance and goes for a single leg that he gives up on quickly. Kuivanen fighting out of Finland is mainly countering with pinpoint punches. Salas feints a single and lands a left. Kuivanen is starting to get agressive and landing some strikes. salas with the driving take down. salas standing and Kuivanen keeping him away with up kicks and sweeps Salas to get back to his feet. Salas with leg kicks to Kuivanen's front leg. Kuivanen still pressing forward. Body kick by Salas. Kuivanen tries to return one of his own and Salas drives him to the ground as the round expires.

Round 2 - Salas with a lunging punch and bounces back. Salas tries a jumping knee that misses and they clinch against the cage. Kuivanen flings salas off as he tries another takedown. Both men with their own leg kicks. Kuivanen defends a single and they wrap up against the cage. Salas sweeps his feet out but Kuivanen bounces up. Salas misses with another jumping knee. Lots of winging power punches from both men but neither can land clean. Kuivanen with thudding leg kick. Salas drives Kiuvanen against the fence attempting another single leg takedown but can't get it.

Round 3 - Salas with a body kick as they meet in the center. Salas with a takedown. Kuivanen holds him in butterfly guard and Salas with punches from postured up. Kuivanen tries for a heel hook but Salas spins out of it and is kicking at Kuivanen's legs from the up position. Salas with a left. Kuivanen is able to work his way back up. Kuivanen trying for body kicks and the second hits salas low. They keep fighting and Salas clinches against the cage and uses some dirty boxing. Kuivanen gets him off and lands a nice left. Salas slams him as he goes for another kick. Kuivanen works him into his half guard from side control then is able to use his legs and push Salas off of him and he is able to get up. 

Judges have it 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 for the winner Justin J-Bomb Salas

SEAN LOEFFLER (@seanloeffler) VS. BUDDY ROBERTS (@THEBUDDYROBERTS) 

Sean Loeffler sprains his ankle warming up and can not fight. The UFC has called the fight off.

Featherweight 145lbs

JONATHAN BROOKINS (@J_Brookins) VS. VAGNER ROCHA (@Vagner_Rocha)

Round 1 - They exchange quick rights to start the fight. Rocha with a glancing overhand right and left hook. Brookins with a uppercut in close. Rocha with body clinch and Brookins drops down on top of him and unloads with right hands that knocks Rocha out cold.

Brookins wins at 1:32 seconds of round 1 by KO.

Main card will start in roughly 25 minutes.

Bruce Buffer welcomes us back with a "WE ARE LIVE!"

Bantamweight 135lbs

JOHN ALBERT (@UFCPrinceAlbert) 7-1 VS. IVAN MENJIVAR (@ivanmenjivar) 23-8

Round 1 - Albert starts off with a couple leg kicks. Both jumping right into the action with punches. They clinch and Albert lands two big knees to the body before they seperate. Menjivar with a spinning back fist. Menjivar ties him up and gets him to the ground. Albert with an omoplata attempt Menjivar escapes and lands hammer fist. Albert kicks legs up for a triangle now arm bar. Menjivar tries his own foot lock. They scramble to the feet. Head kick by Albert then Knees. Menjivar falls to his knees. Albert attempts a standing guillotine Menjivar drops down and into Alberts guard. Albert rolls and Menjivar takes his back. Menjivar with the hooks in now and flattens Albert out on his stomach. Now he is delivering punches. Menjivar sinks in the Rear Naked Choke its deep. Albert taps. WOW what a way to start out the televised portion of the card. These two came out fast and furious going for the kill from the start.

Ivan "The Pride of El Savador" Menjivar wins by tapout to submission at 3:45 of round 1.

Bantamweight 135lbs

T.J. DILLASHAW (@tjdillashaw) 5-1 VS. WALEL WATSON (@135gazelle) 9-3

Round 1 - Dillashaw starts out with a superman punch into a single leg. Wastson is defending well. Dillashaw gets a double and slams Watson down. watson pops up but cant get free and another LOUD slam by Dillashaw. Dillashaw gets his back with both hooks and trying to land punches. Watson defending as Dillashaw gets his arms around his neck for a rear naked choke but cant get it tight around his neck because of Watson chin. Dillishaw goes to Watson's have guard and delivers some blows. Dillashaw back on his back trying another RNC can't get it so he mounts Watson. Watson has to roll over and give his back up again to keep from pounded out. Watson defends another RNC Dillishaw raining punches down as Watson Rolls around under him. Watson is able to survive to the end of the round. Dominate round by Dillashaw. I would give him that one 10-8. 

Round 2 - Big right hand by Dillishaw from a takedown fake to get Watson to drop his hands. Dillashw now shoots and drags him down. Dillashaw works his way to Watson's half guard and delivers more blows on Watson. Watson squirming to get free but can't get an inch. DIllashaw on his back now in a full mount raining down punches. Watson trying to cover up. Dillashaw now going for a rear naked choke but can't lock his hands. Now back to a full mount with more punches that Watson is blocking with his arms and hand. Watson now on his side trying to protect as more punches keep coming down. Second round is just like the first. Watson has heart but that is about it no offense yet. 10-8 Dillashaw.

Round 3 - Watson with flying knee and jump kicks that Dillashaw ducks out of the way of. Dillashaw straight jab to Watson's jaw. Dillashaw shoots a single and drags Watson down. Watson tries a guillotine but can't secure it and Dillashaw is now in side control. Watson is able to get up. Watson with a knee. Dillashaw with an upper cut when shoots in but Watson has him in an arm in triangle. Dillashaw stays calm and gets free as watson rolls around for a heel hook. Dillashaw gets free and crawls back into watson's guard. Watson rolls over to get up but Dillashaw takes his back. they are sitting up against the cage Dillashaw can't finish another RNC so he flattens out Watson and delivers punches from the mount as the fight ends. I see it 10-9 Dillashaw

Dillashaw outlands Watson 172-12 in striking through out the fight according to stats provide at the end of the fight.

Judges score it 30-25, 30-25 and 30-26 all for T.J. Dillashaw

Heavyweight 265lbs

PHILIP DE FRIES (@phildefriesmma) 7-0 VS. STIPE MIOCIC (@smiocic) 8-0-0, 1NC

Round 1 - De Fries with an over hand right and another that rocks Miocic. Miocic swings away and De Fries backs off. Miocic with a straight right the rocks de Fries. Miocic follows him across the cage landing punches and de Fries crumbles and the ref jumps in to stop the fight.

Officially declared for Stipe Miocic by Knockout at 43 seconds into round 1.

Middleweight 185lbs

RONNY MARKES (@Markesoficial) 12-1 VS. AARON SIMPSON (@aaronsimpson)10-2

Round 1 - Markes coming down in weight class for the first time looks huge. He rocks Simpson with a punch and swarms. Simpson hits a knee as he is coming in and they clinch against the fence. Markes with a body lock and the ref separates them. Markes with two heavy leg kicks. Markes with pinpoint accuracy nails Simpson coming in. Simpson big right uppercut that drops Markes. Markes turtles up as Simpson starts raining down punches. Markes gets him into his guard and pushes him away as he tries to clear the cob webs. Simpson lets him back up. Markes charging forward with left right combos. Simpson ties him up on the cage and throws some body shots as the round comes to an end. Close round but I would give it to Simpson 10-9 for dropping Markes.

Round 2 - Right hook for Simpson as Markes lands a leg kick. Simpson ties Markes up with an underhook against the fence and Markes breaks away. Markes another leg kick. Simpson's thigh is bright red. They tare tied up against the fence and Markes uses both hands to push Simpson away by the face. Simpson with a head kick. They tie up again Simpson can't get the take down. Markes reverses and trips Simpson. Markes with a couple big shots as Simpson works his way back to his feet against the cage. Simpson with a knee to the body and Markes delivers his own. 10-9 Markes

Round 3 - Simpson with a right hook straight into a tie up. they separate an markes with another leg kick. Markes with an uppercut as Simpson closes the distance. Simpson with underhooks as they vie for position against the cage. Simpson nice left right combo to the body. Markes leg kick and lounging right hand. Markes has over/under against the fence and stomps on Simpson feet. The ref separates them with minute and half left. Simpson with a overhand right and Markes counters with an uppercut and knee as he comes in. Markes with a knee as Simpson slips and falls. Simpson gets up but Markes drags him down. Simpson gets up but cant separate before the fight ends. 10-9 Markes because of the takedown in a close round.

The judges see it as 29-28 Markes 29-28 Simpson and 29-28 for the winner by split decision Ronny Markes. 

Heavyweight 265lbs

DAVE HERMAN (@davehermanmma)21-2 VS. STEFAN STRUVE (@StefanStruve) 26-5

Round 1 - Herman comes out with dyed black body hair and beard. Leg kicks by both men. Herman trying to chop down the 6'11" Struve and Struve keeping Herman from coming in close. Herman with a right cross and they exchange more kicks. Struve with a nice right and Herman with a body kick. Herman trying to get inside with a combos. Herman with an uppercut that misses but followed with overhand right that lands. Herman with a body kick. Body head punch combo by Herman. 

Round 2 - A couple of kicks and Herman ties up Struve. Struve with a takedown right into a full mount Herman rolls over and Struve tries to hang on as Herman shakes him off. Struve with a hard body kick. Herman with a four punch combo. 

Struve with his own nice combo that makes a small cut under Hermans eye. Big uppercut by Struve that drops Herman and Struve gets into full mount and is pounding away at Hermans head as Herman tries to cover up until the ref jumps in and stops the fight.

Official decision is Stefan "The Skyscraper" Struve winner by TKO at 3:52 of round 2.

Welterweight 170lbs

JAKE ELLENBERGER (@EllenbergerMMA)26-5 VS. DIEGO SANCHEZ 25-4

Round 1 - Ellenberger with a quick combo that lands and sanchez smiles and resets. Sanchez with a pair of body shots. Sanchez comes in but covers up as Ellenberger unloads overhand combo. Knee from ellenberger then a jab. Sanchez with a combo coming forward and knee by Ellenberger. Crowd is loud for the hometown boy Jake Ellenberger. Both men swinging away in close and now they reset. Ellenberger with a counter right to the chin that drops Sanchez and he swarms but Sanchez is able to get up and escape. Sanchez running forward swing away and gets rocked by a right as the horn sounds. 10-9 Ellenberger

Round 2 - Sanchez with a spinning back kick that Ellenberger steps out of the way of. Both men looking to pick their shots. Sanchez with a leg kick. Sanchez goes for a body kick and Ellenberger counters with a left jab. Ellenberger now using that left jab to frustrate Sanchez. Sanchez with angry face lands a right but Ellenberger counter with his own right hook. Ellenberger takes Sanchez down with a double as Sanchez throws a left. Sanchez has him in full guard. working for an armbar but Ellenberger is aware. BIG ELBOWS by a postured up Ellenberger that bust Sanchez open. Ellenberger takes the round 10-9.

Round 3 - Ellenberger stands up for round 3 and the crowd is on their feet. Sanchez trying to push the action but lands nothing more than a body shot and grazing right. Ellenberger working the jab and a left behind the ear of sanchez to knock him off balance. Bridge of Sanchez nose is split has a stream of blood. Ellenberger with nice left jabs. Sanchez comes in and eats a knee from Ellenberger. Sanchez coming forward throwing bombs looking to end it. Ellenberger is now bleeding from a gash between is eyes down to the middle of his nose. Ellenberger with a double to get Sanchez down and he slips off Sanchez on looks like the blood from his nose that was pouring on Sanchez caused it Sanchez gets his back and is dropping punches on Ellenberger. Ellenberger trying to survive the last 20 seconds. Ellenberger escapes and both men now up and throwing everything they have at each other as the fight ends.

All three judges score it 29-28 for Jake "The Juggernaut" Ellenberger.

Sanchez says in post fight interview he sprained both ankles bad that is why he was wearing the ankle supports. He didn't want to pull out of the fight so he fought through it.

Award winners will take home an additional $50,000 and are:

Submission of the Night: Ivan Menjivar

Knockout of the Night: Stipe Miocic

Fight of the Night: Jake Ellenberger vs Diego Sanchez

Side note: Ronny Markes breaks hand in win over Aaron Simpson

Well ladies and gentleman that is a wrap for UFC on FUEL TV 1. Overall some great fights tonight from Omaha. Everyone came out to finish the fight. We saw it all tonight with submissions, knockouts, decisions, thudding kicks, big punches and action action action. 

I'll be back on the 25th of February as Rampage Jackson returns to Japan to take on Ryan Bader and in the main event Frankie Edgar puts his lightweight belt on the line against former WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. Hopefully I'll be able to keep posting the fight results immediately after they happen.

If you have any feedback at all or ideas on what could make this better please feel free to email me.