The MMA Breakdown: UFC on FX5 - Browne vs. Bigfoot

Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron

Stephen: The co-main event pits Welterweights Jake Ellenberger and Jay Hieron against each other. I think it says a lot about how awfully weak that cancelled UFC 151 card was that the co-main event there is still only given co-main event status on what is essentially a B-level show at this point. You don€™t have to go too far back in time to hear people talking about title shots for Ellenberger and suggesting he was a serious threat to Georges St-Pierre, particularly after his Unanimous Decision victory over Diego Sanchez back in February of this year. The loss to Martin Kampmann in June may have eased the pace on the hype-train a little but I€™d still expect him to get past Hieron here. Jay Hieron pushed Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren all the way to a contentious decision in October of last year with his striking really looking on point. In a five round fight he might even be able to work that style late on as Ellenberger tired, something he has been prone to do. Over three rounds though I just can€™t see that happening. Ellenberger should be able to outbox him, and if he needs to, outwrestle him. It honestly looks to me like they just want to get Ellenberger a win and put him back on track in the division. Can you see any way that Hieron wins this fight? Chris: I actually think Hieron has a very good chance in this one and I don€™t make him as big an underdog as some are making out. Let€™s not forget that Hieron was the man who handed Ellenberger his first ever loss in MMA. Hieron also cornered Kampmann in his recent victory over Ellenberger so knows exactly what to expect from the €˜The Juggernaut€™. Hieron has a good stand up and was very unlucky against Ben Askern for the Bellator belt. If he can avoid Ellenberger€™s power and use his defensive wrestling to keep the fight standing he has a chance to take a decision here. I don€™t think he has the power to stop Ellenberger but he could possible outstrike him.Ellenberger needs to put on a statement here if he wants to get back to the upper echelons of the welterweight division. Make no mistake Ellenberger is a far different animal than the fighter who lost a decision to Hieron earlier in his career; he needs to show that in this one. Although I think Hieron has a legitimate chance in this one I still think Ellenberger will come through, Hieron is not getting any younger and Ellenberger should be able to dominate most areas of the fight. I also think if he really wants to he can get the stoppage. I€™m going to go with Ellenberger to show why he was once one of the contenders to GSP€™s crown and to win this one by TKO in the second round. It will definitely be competitive while it lasts though.