UFC on Fuel 1 recap: Ellenberger betters Sanchez, Struve victorious via TKO, Miocic gets quick KO win, Menjivar rebounds from early onslaught

UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger.(Photo courtesy of UFC.com)

Ellenberger beat UFC veteran Diego Sanchez, and Stefan Struve finished Dave Herman at UFC on Fuel, Wednesday at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Neb.

Stipe Miocic knocked out Phillip De Fries in 43 seconds, Ivan Menjivar survived close call to come back and submit John Albert,  T.J. Dillashaw dominated Walel Watson to earn a lopsided decision, and

Ellenberger defeated Sanchez in a high-paced, action packed main event.  Sanchez greeted Ellenberger with his typical intense stare, but it did not intimidate “The Juggernaut”.  Ellenberger did not shy away from trading punches with “The Dream”, and busted up Sanchez’s nose.

The second round was owned by Ellenberger, as he punished Sanchez on the ground and did more damage to the TUF 1 winner’s nose.  The third round showed a change of pace, with Sanchez taking control as the round went on.  Sanchez knocked down Ellenberger and latched on to the Omaha native’s back.  Sanchez tried with all his might to attack and get Ellenberger to give up a rear-naked choke.

Ellenberger held on until the end of the round and earned a decision victory.

Struve seemed hesitant to throw a high number of strikes in the first round and didn’t harm Herman much.  Herman did not get off much either, but arguably got the better of Struve in Round 1.  The second round played out a little different.

Struve was more aggressive in the second frame and began to execute striking combinations.  The fight hit the mat and Struve landed in mount position, the European tried to finish Herman, but the bout found its way back to the feet.  Struve hit Herman with an uppercut that dropped the American, and then “Skyscraper” mounted “Pee Wee” and hit him with punches, left and right, until the referee halted the match.

Struve commented on his unusual performance in the first round.

“The first round wasn’t fireworks like you’re used to from me, but I think it was the jetlag,” Struve admitted.  “I didn’t have that much energy.”

Miocic absorbed a few hard punches from De Fries, and looked to be in trouble in the immediate seconds of the bout.  Miocic stumbled backwards from the shots, but when De Fries advanced in an attempt to finish the fight, the Croatian answered with his own attack.  Miocic hit De Fries with a straight right hand that rattled the British mixed martial artist.  Miocic turned up the pressure and continuously punched De Fries until the referee called a stop to the contest.

Simpson wasn’t long pinning Markes up against the fence and taking him to the ground.  “A-Train” planted Markes on his back and let the punches fly.  Markes was hurt from an uppercut and the bout was nearly stopped, but the Brazilian fended off Simpson’s attack and made it out of the round.   The second frame was the complete opposite.

Markes bullied Simpson in the second round by out-grappling the ASU standout wrestler, and battering him on the ground.   Similar to Markes in the first round, Simpson held on to take the bout to the third round.

Round 3 came down to the bitter end.  Both athletes were searching for a takedown or technique that would sway the judges’ vote in their favor.  Markes managed to get Simpson down and secure top control to ride out the round, which most likely earned him a split-decision victory.

Menjivar and Albert went straight to work when Round 1 commenced.  The two combatants grappled for a submission early on, but the fight eventuated to its feet again and Menjivar appeared to be getting the better of Albert in the stand-up department.  However, Albert hurt Menjivar and was battering the Tristar teammate up against the cage, landing an illegal knee during the process that was not called by the referee.  Menjivar regained composure and pummeled Albert until he gave up his back and “The Pride of El Salvador” sunk in a rear-naked choke, ending the fight.

Dillashaw controlled Watson for the entire first round, almost completing a rear-naked choke on numerous occasions.   Watson came out of the corner in Round 2 taunting Dillashaw with his striking; nevertheless the match hit the canvas again.  Dillashaw hit Watson with repeated hammer-fists to the head and body, while seeking out the rear-naked choke again.   Watson had a more impressive showing in the third round, landing more strikes and attempting a few submissions.  Dillashaw managed to escape anything Watson threw his way and even nearly pulled off the rear-naked choke again.  Dillashaw