Jake Ellenberger vs. Josh Koscheck: What We Learned from Welterweight Tilt

In a UFC 184 battle between struggling welterweight veterans, Jake Ellenberger took on Josh Koscheck. Both men entered on three-fight losing streaks defined by devastating stoppages and were likely to be released from the UFC with another loss.

In a fairly slow first round, Ellenberger asserted himself with superior striking. While Koscheck flashed some of his once-elite wrestling skills, he was unable to assert his will. 

The second round, however, saw Ellenberger lock up a standing guillotine choke and turn it into a north-south choke as Koscheck tried to escape. The ugly scene saw Koscheck trying to tap as the life was choked out of him.

So what did we learn?

Josh Koscheck is Done

Granted, this isn't a new idea. Koscheck's last big win came over Matt Hughes in 2011, and we have seen him get finished three times in brutal fashion since. We've known for a long while now that he isn't capable of beating the top welterweights of today.

That said, a loss to the 2015 model of Ellenberger silences any discussion that he still might be able to hang with today's UFC welterweights. He pretty much can't.

There are probably winnable fights out there for him, sure. But fighting against freshmen is something that should be beneath a veteran former contender like Koscheck. Here's hoping he doesn't actually need to keep fighting to stick around.

Jake Ellenberger Isn't Back

After a relatively strong performance, it's easy to proclaim that any given veteran is "back." Alas, that is not the case with Ellenberger. While the Ellenberger of 2011 was an absolute killer, that iteration of the fighter is long gone.

The Juggernaut of old had aggressive wrestling, ruthless aggression and devastating strikes. None of those things have returned.

Sure, the Ellenberger that fought on Saturday is still capable of picking up wins in the UFC against freshmen fighters and newcomers. But any ranked welterweights certainly feel like they could easily beat Ellenberger. We'll see whether the UFC throws him right back into the deep end, or if it keeps him in there against other struggling veterans.

MMA Is a Brutal Sport

Ellenberger is 29 years old. You wouldn't know that by looking at him. You also wouldn't know that by seeing him compete. Ten years into his career, however, he looks like he has aged 30. 

The Juggernaut's path to the big time was not an easy one, fighting 16 times in a two-year span. That unsustainable clip, however, got him early access to bigger promotions like the IFL and BODOG Fight. The damage was done, however, and he has been adding miles ever since.

While Ellenberger has earned some big wins over tested veterans like Diego Sanchez, Mike Pyle and Jake Shields, those wins came three years ago, according to my calendar. Looking at Ellenberger now , however, it seems like it was closer to 15.

Jerin Valel Is Terrible

"

A. Munoz is so done it's unbelievable. B. That referee was WAY late with that stoppage. Holy crap.

— Matt Saccaro (@MattSaccaro) March 1, 2015"

"

Agreed. RT @Hate_Bear_Adam: @arielhelwani That ref needs to step up his game. Late stoppage.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 1, 2015"

Those tweets were in relation to an earlier fight between Mark Munoz and Roan Carneiro refereed by Jerin Valel where Munoz was choked unconscious by Carneiro, prompting the ref to...sit there and watch, basically. Not long after, he reffed this bout between Koscheck and Ellenberger. The result (warning, graphic image)?

Not good. Not good at all.