Jake Ellenberger vs. Rory MacDonald added to July's UFC on FOX 8

[No More Sorrow]

A bout between top-shelf welterweights Rory MacDonald (14-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Jake Ellenberger (29-6 MMA, 8-2 UFC) should further shrink the ranks of title contenders.

Canada-based newspaper The Province today passed along word of the matchup, which is set for UFC on FOX 8 on July 27 at Seattle's KeyArena, and UFC officials confirmed it.


Although the fight's position on the summer card isn't set, it's expected to serve on the event's FOX-televised main-card, which follows prelims on FX and Facebook.


MacDonald returns to action on the heels of a neck and back strain which forced his removal from this past month's UFC 158 and scratched a rematch with Carlos Condit. According to several reports, the welterweight prospect re-injured himself, which pushed back his timetable for recovery. It appears, however, that not only has the Condit fight taken a back seat, but he'll be fight to fight this summer.


MacDonald's trainer, Firas Zahabi, told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com) he was trying to get his fighter to train smarter and not harder.


"He's too aggressive," Zahabi said. "I really try to hold the reigns. I tell him, 'OK Rory, we're going to do less today,' and we always end up doing more. Emotions get in the way, and he wants to spar more."


Still, whatever the 23-year-old is doing, it's working. MacDonald has won his past four inside the octagon.


Ellenberger, meanwhile, is enjoying back-to-back wins. He was set to fight No. 1 contender Johny Hendricks at UFC 158 before MacDonald's injury shuffled the card, and he was rebooked to fight Nate Marquardt. In a quick drubbing, he knocked out the ex-Strikeforce champ in three minutes and secured a "Knockout of the Night" bonus.

Pretty good fight here that will clear up the WW division a little bit. I'll be pulling for Ellenberger here.

 

[Dale]

I'll pull for Rory just to see if they have the balls to book Rory/GSP providing he beats Hendricks.

 

[The Cork]

Disclaimer, I think this fight is awesome, but

I hate Rory McDonald, he isn't intriguing or charismatic at all, no matter how hard Helwani tries to push his man fetish on me it won't work. Wearing dapper suits and talking in a monotone voice does not make you American Psycho, it makes you a hipster twat, and he is madly overrated to boot. He is good, but the UFC are feeding him bums to make him look like a prodigy.

His biggest wins are over two lightweights and a guy who just got cut after Riddle wrestlefucked him to death. Condit absolutely trounced him, and GSP would do the same.

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Disclaimer, I think this fight is awesome, but

I hate Rory McDonald, he isn't intriguing or charismatic at all, no matter how hard Helwani tries to push his man fetish on me it won't work. Wearing dapper suits and talking in a monotone voice does not make you American Psycho, it makes you a hipster twat, and he is madly overrated to boot. He is good, but the UFC are feeding him bums to make him look like a prodigy.

His biggest wins are over two lightweights and a guy who just got cut after Riddle wrestlefucked him to death. Condit absolutely trounced him, and GSP would do the same.

Ellenburgers not much better until he beat Marquart all he'd done is can smash his way to MMA God status in the eyes of his fans.

As for the Rory-Condy fight ??? Rory was winning that fight 30-27 until he got caught in the last what 15(?) seconds thats hardly being 'trounced'.

This should be a good fight, two of the more impressive WWs but both guys haven't really beat any/many top fighters. Burger always has that KO power and Rory looks more impressive with each outing.

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

I love this fight, but I'm not getting excited until it actually happens. MacDonald has been getting hurt too much lately.

 

[Troy]

Good addition to the card. Could this end up being a fight to determine the number one contender once Hendricks has hit shot? Should be a good fight but I think Ellenberger will win.