Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann headlines The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale
A welterweight fight likely to cue up the next title contender is set for The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale.
UFC officials today announced Jake Ellenberger (27-5 MMA, 6-1 UFC) vs. Martin Kampmann (19-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) to headline the event, which takes place June 1 in Las Vegas and airs live on FX and FUEL TV.
The fight will be contested over five rounds.
Ellenberger and Kampmann meet after impressive performances in their most recent outings. Ellenberger outpointed onetime lightweight title challenger Diego Sanchez at "UFC on FUEL 1: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger" while Kampmann pulled out a third-round submission for Thiago Alves at UFC on FX 2.
Unbeaten in his past six fights, Ellenberger made a great argument for a shot at interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit, who outpointed him three years ago in his UFC debut. While he said he'd welcome that opportunity, he said he'd prefer to stay busy in the event that Condit chose to wait for injured champ Georges St-Pierre, who may return later this year.
"I'd like to stay active," he said. "Maybe late spring, early summer. I don't choose who I fight, so it's up to Dana and the UFC, and I'm always ready."
Kampmann is a new addition to the title picture, though he has long been considered among the most talented welterweights in the division. By finishing Alves and outpointing Rick Story in his previous outing, the Danish fighter is experiencing a resurgence in his career after setbacks against Paul Daley, Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez.
The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale is also features the tournament finale of the current season of the "The Ultimate Fighter Live" reality series.
