Jake Ellenberger, a veteran UFC welterweight, announced his retirement Saturday night after his loss to Bryan Barberena at UFC Lincoln. Following the first-round TKO loss, Ellenberger took his gloves off and laid them down in the center of the Octagon.
“There’s no better place for me to set the gloves down and say it’s time to move on than the place where it all started,” Ellenberger told interviewer Paul Felder.
With a record of 31-15, Ellenberger was considered one of the top 170-pounders in the world as The California resident went 12-2 between 2008 and 2013. Ellenberger has victories against the likes of Matt Brown, Josh Koscheck, Jake Shields, Diego Sanchez and Nate Marquardt. Ellenberger spent nine years in the UFC and finishes his MMA career having 46 pro fights.
“I’ve fought here my whole life,” Ellenberger said.
“It’s been since 2005. I’ve gotta tell you, it means the world to me. Thank you guys, I love you.”