Welterweight contender Jake Ellenberger (23-5) held off Carlos Eduardo Rocha (9-1) in a split decision at UFC 126 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Ellenberger won with the bizarre score of 27-30, 29-28, 29-28.
For much of the first round, Rocha smothered Ellenberger, switching from side control to top control, trying for a leg lock and chokes, but Ellenberger survived and returned to his feet. He landed a few strikes before Rocha got him back on the ground, and in the last 30 seconds of the round, Rocha locked on a Kimura. He turned and cranked on Ellenberger's arm, switching it to an Americana, but the round ended before the submission could be secured.
Ellenberger recovered in the second round, with the action slowing down considerably. After both engaged in tentative stand-up for much of the round, Ellenberger scored a takedown with 20 seconds left. Rocha tried to secure a triangle choke but didn't have enough time.
By the third round, Rocha was diving for takedowns, which Ellenberger shook off easily. Ellenberger landed more power shots and then a takedown with 30 seconds left in the fight. He didn't do much with the takedown, but held off any submission attempts by the grappling wizard Rocha.
The 27-30 scorecard is puzzling, as it's surprising to see that a judge gave every round to the loser. Rocha fought well early on but seemed to lose steam, while Ellenberger did not.
Ellenberger was slated to fight Jon Fitch, but lost the chance to fight for the title shot when Fitch was given a fight with B.J. Penn.
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