UFC 158 main card recap: Jake Ellenberger KO’s Nate Marquardt

Jake Ellenberger made a statement of his own in a night full of top contenders in the UFC’s welterweight division. Ellenberger absorbed an early attack from Marquardt, then put his opponent away with a flurry of right hands to win by KO at 3:00 of the opening round.

Nate Marquardt wasted little time establishing his kicks to start the bout, but Jake Ellenbrger remained calm, firing back with kicks of his own. Marquardt then connected with a high kick then rushed Ellenberger with a big right hand as he came forward looking to finish.

Ellenberger again remained calm, shaking off yet another kick from Marquardt. The next kick that Marquardt threw would be the beginning of his demise.

Ellenberger countered with a clipping left hook, then followed up with a crushing right hand that sent Marquardt reeling to the canvas. Ellenberger kept throwing, connecting with the finishing shot that KO’d Marquardt.

The stunning knockout victory for Jake Ellenberger (29-6 MMA, 8-2 UFC) marks his eighth win in nine fights, and moves him one step closer to contender status in the welterweight division.