Joe Ellenberger debuts at UFC 172, fights alongside his brother Jake
Recently signed lightweight Joe Ellenberger will join his brother Jake on the upcoming UFC 172 fight card in Baltimore when he makes his debut against Yancy Medeiros.
UFC officials confirmed the new bout on Monday.
Ellenberger (14-1) came to the UFC just recently after a career spent on the regional fighting circuit where he picked up finishes in all but two of his 14 victories. During that time, Ellenberger also overcame a rare blood disorder that not only almost ended his fighting career, but could have easily cost him his life.
The battle back from that fight is peanuts compared to anything that will happen in the UFC so Ellenberger is certainly well prepared for the spotlight that comes with fighting inside the Octagon. Joe joins his brother Jake, who is also fighting on the card against Tarec Saffiedine in a welterweight bout.
Challenging Ellenberger in his debut is Yancy Medeiros (10-1), who will be no easy challenger for the first time UFC fighter. Medeiros is fresh off of his first round knockout of veteran fighter Yves Edwards in November 2013.
The only loss Medeiros has suffered was to Rustam Khabilov in his first UFC fight, which ended after he sustained a dislocated thumb during the bout and couldn't continue.
The bout between Ellenberger and Medeiros will likely occupy a slot on the preliminary portion of the show although UFC officials have not yet announced a bout order for the UFC 172 card.
