Originally, Jake Ellenberger (24-5 MMA, 3-1 UFC) wasn't scheduled to appear at Toronto's Rogers Centre for UFC 129.However, when an MRI revealed that welterweight Brian Foster has a brain hemorrhage, Canadian Sean Pierson (11-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was suddenly left without an opponent for the record-setting April 30 event.
The open slot didn't remain trouble for long, as the 26-year-old Ellenberger – who is 3-1 in the organization and most recently defeated Carlos Eduardo Rocha this past February at UFC 126 – stepped in with little hesitation.
Ellenberger recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the decision to step in on two-weeks' notice was clear-cut.
"There was no hesitance at all," Ellenberger said. "Just let me know when I fly out. I'll fight this weekend, next weekend, or in a month. I'm always in shape and you're never going to be a 100 percent ready to fight. It's just your turn. It's just what we do, and I'm ready, so there's really no hesitation with that decision."
Helping make the decision effortless? Ellenberger said he is in phenomenal shape from assisting teammate Jason Brilz prepare for his respective fight at UFC 129.
Over the past few months, Ellenberger has been making the trek west to work with the gentlemen at Mark Munoz's Reign Training Center in California. But due to time restraints and the positive training he's currently receiving, Ellenberger will remain at home in Omaha, Neb., to finish the remaining days before departure.
"I've been here training with Brilz, and we've got a good group going, so I just want to stay focused," Ellenberger said. "It's a short time, so I can't afford to lose a couple days traveling because every day here is really key. Mark has helped me out so much and I can really tell when I come back here how much my game's improved. He's helped me progress to a new level.
"(In Nebraska), I have Brilz, my brother (Joe Ellenberger), and a bunch of really good guys. I can't afford to lose any days traveling, so I'm going to grind out the next two weeks here and head up to Canada."
As for fighting Pierson in front of a pro-Canadian crowd, Ellenberger embraces any pressure that may come his direction as he chases towards his dream.
"I feel that I do better under pressure," he said. "This guy's been training hard too, he's in shape and ready to go. I'm still relatively young in this sport and I'm trying to pursue to my dream and have a brighter future in this sport. I've been on some big cards, and it's only going to help me for this fight and in the future. I like the pressure and I feel like I perform better under pressure."
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