Jake Ellenberger vs Josh Koscheck Announced For UFC 151Former top welterweight contenders Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger and Josh Koscheck will look to get back in the title hunt when they face off at UFC 151: “Jones vs Henderson” on September 1st in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout was officially announced today and serves as the co-main event.

Ellenberger appeared to be one win away from a shot at the UFC Interim Welterweight Championship before his six-fight winning streak was snapped by Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann on June 1st. Koscheck is coming off of a Split Decision loss to fellow wrestler Johny Hendricks at UFC on FOX 3.

Ellenberger (27-6-0) has quickly developed a reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the UFC’s welterweight division and he holds 17 knockout victories to his credit. After a razor-thin decision loss to current interim champ Carlos Condit in his Octagon debut, Ellenberger battled back with six big wins that included triumphs over former Strikeforce titleholder Jake Shields and UFC mainstay Diego Sanchez. Despite a strong start in the bout with Kampmann, Ellenberger eventually succumbed to a barrage of knees in the second round and must now fight his way back into contention.

Koscheck (17-6-0) earned his shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship when he battled rival Georges “Rush” St. Pierre for a second time in late 2010. The bout did not go Koscheck’s way and he dropped a lopsided Unanimous Decision. After sitting out for nine months due to a broken orbital bone suffered in the bout with St. Pierre, Koscheck knocked out former long-time UFC champion Matt Hughes. He then took a close and contentious Split Decision win over Mike Pierce in February before coming up just short in the equally close contest with Hendricks in June.

The battle of heavy-handed wrestlers will propel the winner back into the title mix prior to the UFC Welterweight Championship unification bout between St. Pierre and Condit when St. Pierre returns to action in November.

UFC 151: “Jones vs Henderson” takes place on September 1st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between Jon “Bones” Jones and Dan “Hendo” Henderson.

 

 

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)