Bryan Barberena told us recently that he feels sorry for whoever is in front of him next. On Tuesday, the UFC announced that that someone is longtime veteran Jake Ellenberger.
‘Bam Bam’ is about to take on ‘The Juggernaut.’ UFC officials announced Tuesday that the promotion has booked a welterweight fight between Bryan Barberena and Jake Ellenberger for UFC Utica in June. It will mark Barberena’s first fight since a September loss to Leon Edwards, since which time he has been rehabbing a foot injury. For Ellenberger, it will be his first bout in over a year.
Prior to the Edwards fight, Barberena (13–5) had picked up a win over Joe Proctor at UFC Fight Night 108. Since returning to the welterweight division in January 2016, he has gone 3-2, with notable wins over Sage Northcutt and Warlley Alves, as well as a decision loss to Colby Covington.
For Jake Ellenberger (31–13), meanwhile, UFC Utica will be his first fight back since an April 2017 loss to Mike Pyle. Ellenberger is 1-4 in his last five, with the lone win coming against Matt Brown at UFC 201. Once a title hopeful, Ellenberger’s name still carries some weight, and this promises to be a fun scrap.
UFC Utica, numerically UFC Fight Night 131, takes place June 1 at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York. The main event features featherweights Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes squaring off.
