UFC 180 Date: November 15, 2014 Arena: Arena Ciudad de Mexico City: Mexico City, Mexico Welterweight bout: Jake Ellenberger (+170) vs Kelvin Gastelum (-200) Fight Breakdown: The co-main event for UFC 180 in Mexico City will see veteran Jake Ellenberger take on the Mexican Kelvin Gastelum, with Ellenberger being the betting underdog at +170 ($100 to win $170) and Gastelum being the favorite at -200 ($200 to win $100) at Several Bookmakerss. Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger (29-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is coming off a third round TKO defeat at the hands of current number one contender Robbie Lawler, and the loss puts him on a two fight deficit inside the Octagon, as he was coming off a unanimous decision loss to Rory MacDonald heading into the contest. He will be looking to bounce back into the win column on Saturday night in this rare winner vs loser match-up against Gastelum, who is currently undefeated and enjoys a four fight winning streak inside the Octagon. “The Juggernaut” is a talented wrestler who was the assistant wrestling coach for the University of Nebraska. He is far from the best wrestler in the division, but gets the job done. Ellenberger works good takedowns, when deciding to take the fight to the mat, and when there, works a heavy top game with some solid ground and pound. His submission game is on point, too, as he owns a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His conditioning has been an issue with him and I think it is something to keep an eye on heading into the contest, though regardless, I believe he will be at a disadvantage in that department against Gastelum. Ellenberger has moved to Los Angeles and has been sharpening up his striking at the Glendale Fight Club with head striking coach Edmond Tarverdyan, though since the move in camps, he has yet to pick up a victory. Kelvin Gastelum (9-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Nico Musoke at UFC Fight Night 44 over four months ago, the win which extended his undefeated streak to nine in a row and made him 4-0 inside the Octagon. He dropped the first round against Musoke, but came back strong in the second and third to take home the unanimous nod. The 20 year old is a talented mixed martial artist with a ton of heart, and for him, at this point in his career; the sky is the limit. He is continuously improving fight to fight and his dedication in the gym translates well inside the cage. Gastelum is a solid wrestler who works effective takedowns and is very powerful, whether up against the cage or in top position on the mat. He has a good ground and pound attack, as well as a great submission game, especially with chokes. His boxing is solid and improving, much like his Jiu-Jitsu. The Mexican will be entering this bout with two major advantages; he will have the Mexican crowd on his side in Mexico City, but most importantly, he will have the superior conditioning over Ellenberger, as he is known to be a cardio machine, while Ellenberger tends to fade in his fights. The only real disadvantage he will have entering this contest is experience, but I think his heart, mental toughness and will to win make up for that. Gabe’s Thoughts: Ellenberger has been having mental issues and coming off a pair of losses, with his last being a TKO, I don’t think being paired up against a young, undefeated prospect on enemy territory is a good match-up for him. I see him dropping his third straight fight here and possibly joining the unemployment line. Gabe’s Call: Gastelum by Submission (rear naked choke, 3:13 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Kelvin Gastelum (-200) 3u to win 1.5u
