UFC News: Jake Ellenberger Wants Rematch with Carlos Condit, Praises GSP

After Jake Ellenberger defeated Diego Sanchez in the main event of UFC on FUEL TV, everyone expected "The Juggernaut" to call out interim UFC welterweight champion Carlos Condit for a rematch. 

Surprisingly, Ellenberger told his Omaha, Neb. home crowd that while he would like another fight with "The Natural Born Killer," he was expecting Condit to wait until UFC welterweight title-holder Georges St-Pierre returns for a title unification bout.

“I think I should’ve been clearer on what I want and who I want to fight,” Ellenberger told Heavy MMA. “I think I can beat Carlos Condit, and that’s really the fight I want."

"That’s the fight I’m hoping and praying for—but it’s not my decision. It’s absolutely what I want, though. I’ve fought him before, and now I’m a completely different fighter," Ellenberger explained.

"I know I can beat him and it’s definitely the fight I want. Carlos has said he wants to wait, and while I can understand his position, it doesn’t stop me from wanting that fight."

Ellenberger, who is currently riding a five-fight win streak, was also critical of the fact that Condit did not want to defend his title at all before fighting GSP. 

“I would rather stay active than not fight. I guess everyone is a little different, and it’s circumstantial. Some people don’t want to risk their chance of losing their title shot or their interim belt, but a long layoff is tough, and it’s hard to come back from. If it were me, personally, I would stay active."

Even if he were to defeat Condit the second time around, Ellenberger made it clear that he does not consider himself the true champion until he beats St-Pierre, who has been the 170-pound champion for nearly five years now. 

“To be honest an interim belt doesn’t mean anything. It would be cool to wear around and say you were the interim champ, but at the end of the day, you are not the king," Ellenberger stated.

"Georges St-Pierre is the king, and until somebody beats him he’s still the true champion of the division. Even if I were in that position, it would be the same thing."

"If I go out and beat Carlos Condit, I’m not the champion of the division because Georges St-Pierre is the reigning champion and unless you beat him, then you aren’t. It’s that simple. You have to beat the champ to become the champ. Georges is that guy,” he added.

Ellenberger also went on to say that to be considered a threat to GSP "is definitely a compliment," given St-Pierre's success within the welterweight division. 

Condit and Ellenberger first squared off at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard in September of 2009, with Condit winning a controversial split decision that many argued should have went the other way.  

Ellenberger joins Nick Diaz in being the only opponents that Condit has defeated and not been able to finish.