Longtime UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger hung up the gloves following a TKO loss to Bryan Barberena at UFC Lincoln on Saturday.
UFC vetran Jake Ellenberger stepped into the cage against Bryan Barberena for a scheduled three rounds in the third fight of the main card at UFC Lincoln (UFC fight Night 135). The event went down live Saturday night from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ellenberger entered looking for a win after dropping his last three fights, with his most recent loss being against Ben Saunders at UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes. Barberena also entered the night off a loss, after losing a unanimous decision to Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve. Barberena was also coming back from injury.
To open the action, Ellenberger pushed forward and Barberena slipped away. Ellenberger secured the clinch and fired a shot off the break. Barberena then pushed forward and just missed a one-two combo. Ellenberger jumped in, and the two exchanged briefly then separated. Barberena landed a right that hurt Ellenberger and dropped him to the mat. Barberena followed and continued to drop shots until Ellenberger got to his feet, but Barberena dropped him again to bring an end to the fight.
A great showing by Barberena, and for Ellenberger, a scene that had repeated itself of late. Saying there was “no better place” to lay down the gloves, Ellenberger, who turned pro in 2005 and who was fighting at home, retired following the bout.
Bryan Barberena def. Jake Ellenberger by TKO, Round 1, 2:26
