Jake Ellenberger retires at UFC Lincoln following TKO loss to Bryan Barberena

Jake Ellenberger called an end to his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career earlier tonight (Sat., Aug. 25, 2018) at UFC Fight Night 135 live on FOX Sports 1 from inside Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, after suffering a first-round TKO loss at the hands of welterweight Bryan Barberena (watch the finish here).

Ellenberger, 33, was trying to end a three-fight losing streak and keep his name off the UFC chopping block. The former welterweight contender simply hasn’t looked like the same fighter over the past few years and this TKO loss to Barberena was the straw that final broke the camel’s back.

“Juggernaut” took a moment after the fight to address his home crowd of Nebraska and formerly announce his retirement from the sport.

“It was a tough fight. Bryan caught me. It is what it is,” said Ellenberger during his post-fight interview. “Hats off to Bryan. He did a good job tonight.”

“You know what,” continued Ellenberger. “I gotta say there’s no better place for me to set the gloves down and say it’s time to move on in the same place it started. Here at home in Nebraska with my family, my friends, everybody. I love you. It’s time to set them down.”

Having lost nine out of his last 11 Octagon appearances this is probably the best decision Ellenberger could have made. He was once considered one of the best 170-pound fighters in the world, but hasn’t been able to make the necessary adjustments over the past couple of years to remain a perennial threat.

Ellenberger, holds key victories over notable fighter such as Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, Matt Brown, Nate Marquardt, and Diego Sanchez. He finishes his career with a 31-15 record.