UFC Fight Night 19: Carlos Condit Gets Away With SD Versus Jake Ellenberger

Welterweight “Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit (23-5) won an exciting split decision over Jake Ellenberger (20-4) by judges’ scores of 29-28 twice for Condit and 29-28 once for Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City Wednesday night.

In round one, Ellenberger sat Condit down with a straight right after catching Condit’s leg kick, but Condit wrapped his guard around Ellenberger’s hips and walked his left leg up Ellenberger’s back into a semi-rubber guard to smother Ellenberger’s offense from top position.  Condit inched up the gate to his feet, but was staggered with another Ellenberger straight as Condit again threw a leg kick.  Ellenberger followed Condit to the cage and dropped Condit with a pair of hooks.

“I was seeing stars,” Condit admitted after the fight.

Ellenberger attempted a D’arce choke near the fence, but never threatened and decided to try his luck standing.  In the clinch, Condit landed a knee to Ellenberger’s head, but Condit was dropped for a third time.  Ellenberger pounced and attempted a guillotine which Condit rolled free from.

The pace slowed in round two as Ellenberger took Condit to the mat with a double leg takedown and Condit returned to rubber guard.  Condit worked to his feet only to pull guard into a guillotine choke.  But, Ellenberger defended and Condit transitioned to a Kimura on Ellenberger’s left arm.

In the third round, Ellenberger landed a right head kick that staggered Condit, who shot clumsily for a single leg.  Ellenberger countered with a guillotine.  But, Condit yanked his head free and passed to half mount to pound on Ellenberger.  Ellenberger lunged for a Condit leg to save himself from the pounding, but Condit switched to Ellenberger’s back and attempted an armbar.  Ellenberger rolled free of the armbar.

The win is former WEC champion Condit’s first in the Octagon.  After the fight, he said, “I’m just looking forward to see who Joe Silva puts in front of me next.”