Welterweight contenders Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger and Diego “The Dream” Sanchez are likely to face off in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 1 on February 15, 2012. The targeted matchup is expected to take place at the CenturyLink Center in Ellenberger’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the bout today, including details of the date and location. UFC officials confirmed the fight this evening. Ellenberger has won five straight fights since a close defeat in his Octagon debut. Sanchez earned a contentious decision victory over Martin Kampmann in March.

Ellenberger (26-5-0) has developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the welterweight division and four of his five UFC wins have come via a form of knockout. After a close decision win in February, Ellenberger posted back-to-back stoppages of Sean Pierson and former EliteXC and Strikeforce champ Jake Shields to become a bona fide contender at 170 pounds. He will face another tough test in his first fight of 2012, but a victory over Sanchez could place Ellenberger in line for a future shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship next year.

Sanchez (23-4-0) won his first 17 professional fights and became TUF 1 champion in 2005. His winning streak came to an end with losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch, and Sanchez opted to drop down to the lightweight division in 2009. After wins over Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida, Sanchez challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship. He was dominated and eventually stopped by B.J. Penn and returned to the welterweight division following the loss. Sanchez has won two of his three fights since, though many felt that Kampmann had done enough to deserve the victory in March.

UFC on Fuel TV 1 is targeted for February 15, 2012 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The bout between Ellenberger and Sanchez will headline the card, which airs live on Fuel TV.

Article updated with confirmation on the fight booking from UFC officials.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)