Jake Ellenberger receives key to Omaha
This Wednesday, Jake Ellenberger meets Diego 'The Dream' Sanchez in the octagon for the UFC's first event on Fuel TV which takes place in Omaha, Nebraska. While a win over Sanchez would elevate Ellenberger's career, it is unlikely that a victory will be as memorable as receiving the key to his hometown.
Ellenberger is seen as a hometown hero, a fighter who was born and raised in Omaha and continued to help the community as an assistant coach to the now defunct University of Nebraska-Omaha's wrestling team. The ceremony was headed by David Dover, the deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Jim Suttle.
Dover had the following to say:
On behalf of Mayor Jim Suttle, the City of Omaha is proud to recognize Jake as a hometown hero, as both a former US Marine and an outstanding athlete.
The elated Ellenberger added:
I'm honored to be recognized by the city I grew up in and fight for. It's extra pressure to fight in your hometown with all your family and friends in the front row, but I know the support from the local fans will be awesome.
The UFC on Fuel TV prelims kick off on Facebook at 6:20 PM ET. The prelims are headlined by a fight between Jonathan Brookins and Vagner Rocha. The main card has a start time of 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT.
0 recs | 46 comments
That is pretty cool.
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
Yeah man, awesome for Ellenberger.
Now Jake will be able to get into all the stores in Omaha! I’m pretty sure there are almost a bakers dozen
ElliotMatheny - February 14, 2012
hopefully he doesnt get into the medical weed dispensaries and get all Diaz'd
Earl Montclair - February 14, 2012
Shouldn't be a problem
the only plant in Nebraska is hay
ElliotMatheny - February 14, 2012
very nice
MattParker117 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Good stuff. He made me a fan with the Shields KO
AHutch - February 13, 2012
Fighters are exposing the Canadian’s finishing game left and right.
GSP takes 5 rounds with Dan Hardy
Condit KO’s Jake Shields in 1 round
GSP takes 5 rounds with Jake Shields
Ellenberger KO’s Jake Shields in 1 round
GSP takes 5 rounds with Jon Fitch
Hendricks KO’s Jon Fitch in 1 round
Next Hendricks will expose GSP’s 5 rounder with Koscheck.
Elitex10x - February 13, 2012
lol meant to type dan hardy in the condit one.
Elitex10x - February 13, 2012
I will admit I’m still a GSP mark, but the lack of finishes in his fights have dulled my excitement for a his fights just a little bit.
AHutch - February 13, 2012
After the Shields fight he lost me as a fan
I just couldn’t defend him any more
Shaun32887 - February 14, 2012
good for him.
Omaha is a pretty cool little city. Good music scene. Cheap beers. Some statues I think.
POW - February 13, 2012 via mobile
and clearly isn’t afraid of endorsing a mma participant
UncleMax - February 13, 2012
Not like stupid crappy New York City.
POW - February 13, 2012
Ellenburger must be very honored, I'm sure this means alot to him
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
Wait… what?
Prelims for fuel will be on facebook?
Why not just do a superlong UFC on Fuel. I honestly don’t think anyone would be complaining about more fights.
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
The power of social media can be awesome sometimes.
AHutch - February 13, 2012
Probably something to do with Fuel having other programmes to show on their channel
Our Bovine Public - February 13, 2012
have you ever watched fuel?
Their programming in general is Spike level or lower….
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
but...
They’re showing the 2011 Hooters International Swimsuit Beauty Pagaent?
Our Bovine Public - February 13, 2012
Just purchased Fuel
Thanks for the heads-up.
glib_mf - February 14, 2012
I think they will eventually
It’s good business, if nothing else. UFC programming is such a bargain for them.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
I thought they'd be doing this as well
But I’m not complaining. Being one of the screwed over Comcast customers and all.
AwkwardBoner - February 13, 2012
He's a former marine?
I feel like I’ve never heard that before
Rabbit915 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, never knew that.
AHutch - February 13, 2012
You mean he isn't broadcasting it to the heavens like Tim Kennedy??
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
I think there are some key differences
Tim Kennedy is still in the army and being paid to advertise for it as a recruitment tool.
Rabbit915 - February 13, 2012 via mobile
um, alright I guess. I mean, I disagree but okay.
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
In fairness
Kennedy is an absolutely elite soldier. There are maybe a thousand guys in the entire world capable of doing what he does. Additionally, he’s been in the Army for all of his adult life; guys like that are going to feel differently about their service than guys who do a single stint.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
And he is profiting off his promotion of it so I guess that makes sense
I am incredibly annoyed by it but I get it.
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
Agreed
I respect the guy and what he does, but his twitter can be pretty obnoxious, and that speech after the Lawler fight was just bizarre.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
And the Kurt Pellegrino retirement overtaking
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
Yeah,
Kennedy isn’t just in the Army, he’s in the 7th Special Forces Group, and was awarded a Bronze Star.
Andy Davis - February 13, 2012
Looks like it
It’s on his ufc.com profile.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
UNO dropped their wrestling program a year ago, fwiw, in an assinine move for such a great D2 program.
Hardcharger - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Thank you
Last I heard he was the assistant. But I also hadn’t heard they dropped the program.
Matthew Roth - February 13, 2012
Dropped the program
AFTER winning the DII nationals. Not a lot of people happy about that around here. It’s a move purely for money, as wrestling is not usually a high revenue generating sport, and they’re hoping to turn their basketball team into one. As it stands, the bulk of the revenue is coming through hockey. The football program was dropped essentially for the same reason.
rzor - February 13, 2012
True, but they dropped it and added golf or something, creating the same expenditures for scholarships as they axed from the national title program. Stupid.
Hardcharger - February 13, 2012 via mobile
Jake is carrying the banner
for Nebraska and midwest MMA right now, to a certain extent, after Houston somewhat flamed out. From everything I’ve heard second-hand he does seem like a decent guy and hopefully has a long and successful future in MMA.
rzor - February 13, 2012
JAKE ELLENBERGER IS FOR REAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
Doesn’t he train mostly in Cali now?
Hardcharger - February 13, 2012 via mobile
"somewhat" flamed out?
underrated ground game - February 13, 2012
He did beat his son
wonderfulspam - February 13, 2012
lol
Earl Montclair - February 13, 2012
Slow clap
underrated ground game - February 13, 2012
How does the key to the city work?
Store owner: I’m sorry, sir, it’s after 11:00, we’re closed
Jake: flashes key to city
Store owner: Well that’s a horse of a different color, come on in!
Psychic Octopus - February 14, 2012
Key to Omaha ehh...
…sounds more like a case of, “You touched it last” to me.
NickRingp4pGOAT - February 14, 2012
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