Jake Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger (born March 28, 1985) is an American retired mixed martial artist and former United States Marine who was known for competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

A professional competitor from 2005–2018, Ellenberger has also formerly competed for the Quad Cities Silverbacks of the IFL, Bodog Fight, and King of the Cage.

Jake Ellenberger was born in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jake's father was an iron worker, and his twin brother named Joe, was also an MMA fighter.

After starting his career with a 10–0 record, Joe was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disease called Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria when he was 24 years old.

Some estimates suggest that roughly half of the people diagnosed with PNH die within 10 years of their diagnosis.

Joe still cornered his brother's fights and is a huge inspiration for Jake.

Both Jake and Joe were very athletic growing up; Jake was on the swimming and diving team at Millard South High School, while Joe wrestled and played football.

Joe won a Nebraska wrestling state title his senior year.

Joe then went on to wrestle at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and became a two-time NCAA Division II All-American, finishing third in the country twice and was a three-time academic All-American.

Jake began training for MMA when he saw his friend fight for the welterweight title in the Victory Fighting Championships.

He studied psychology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha for three years and was on the school's NCAA Division II wrestling team.

Following the end of his own wrestling career and acting as assistant coach, Jake helped his alma mater to win back to back National titles.

Jake Ellenberger is also a former Marine, having served as a heavy equipment mechanic (military occupational specialty 1341).

Ellenberger suffered the first loss of his career by unanimous decision to Jay Hieron in his IFL debut.

In Ellenberger's second IFL appearance, he defeated Ben Uker by TKO in the second round at IFL: Championship Final.

Ellenberger filled in on short notice for an injured Rory Markham and represented Pat Miletich's Quad City Silverbacks at the 2007 Team Championship Final.

He suffered his only submission loss to Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Delson Heleno.

In his last fight for the promotion, Ellenberger dominated his opponent, Pat Healy over three rounds to win a unanimous decision at IFL: Las Vegas.

At the event entitled Clash of the Nations, held in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ellenberger lost a unanimous decision to UFC veteran Derrick Noble.

He then traveled to Costa Rica and defeated another UFC veteran, Zach Light, via TKO at Costa Rica Combat.

In his last appearance with BodogFight, Ellenberger knocked out Jose Landi-Jons in just nine seconds.

Ellenberger represented the United States at M-1 Challenges in Japan and South Korea.

In his first bout held in Japan, Ellenberger defeated Frenchman Farouk Lakebir by unanimous decision.

In his next fight, held in Korea, Ellenberger defeated Doo Won Seo via TKO in round two.

Ellenberger won his fight against Marcelo Alfaya at Bellator 11 by knockout just 42 seconds into the first round.

Ellenberger stepped in on short notice for an injured Chris Lytle and lost a split decision in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 19 against Carlos Condit.

Ellenberger rebounded by defeating Mike Pyle via second-round TKO on January 2, 2010, at UFC 108.

Ellenberger was set to face Ben Saunders at UFC 111 in Newark, New Jersey as a replacement for the injured Martin Kampmann; however, once Jon Fitch's original opponent, Thiago Alves, was forced out due to a brain irregularity, Saunders requested and was granted a fight against Fitch instead.

Due to the last minute switch, Ellenberger was still paid win and show money.

Ellenberger defeated John Howard via third-round TKO at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko.

Ellenberger caused Howard's left eye to close after repeatedly landing short elbows and punches from the closed guard.

Ellenberger was expected to face Jon Fitch on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126, but Fitch was pulled from the bout in favor with a matchup with B.J. Penn at UFC 127.

Ellenberger instead faced the then-undefeated Carlos Eduardo Rocha at UFC 126 and won the fight via split decision.

Ellenberger faced Sean Pierson on April 30, 2011, at UFC 129, replacing an injured Brian Foster, and won the fight via first-round KO on 17 days notice.

Ellenberger faced Jake Shields on September 17, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 25.

He won the fight via TKO only 53 seconds into the first round.

The finish earned him the Knockout of the Night honors.

A bout between Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez was briefly linked to UFC 141.

However, a lingering hand injury ended up keeping Sanchez out of action until February 2012.