Fitch-Ellenberger On Tap for UFC 126

Former UFC welterweight title contender Jon Fitch will meet Jake Ellenberger at UFC 126, which goes down on Feb. 5 -- the eve of Super Bowl XLV -- at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Sherdog.com has learned from sources close to the match-up that both men have verbally agreed to the fight and are awaiting bout agreements.

Fitch has been a perennial contender in the 170-pound division, and the American Kickboxing Academy standout has only lost one fight in the last seven years. That defeat came at the hands of welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in a fight for the French Canadian’s title at UFC 87 in 2008. Since losing to St. Pierre, Fitch has returned to his winning ways, notching five straight unanimous decision victories inside the Octagon. Prior to the St. Pierre loss, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt had gone undefeated in his time with the UFC, running off an eight-fight winning streak which included such casualties as Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves. A former Purdue University wrestler, Fitch is known for a potent top game which controls and smothers his opponents. Nearly half of Fitch's career victories have come by way of decision.

A veteran of the fight game, Ellenberger has fought all over the world. The 25-year-old is an assistant wrestling coach for the University of Nebraska at Omaha and made his MMA debut in 2005. He would not taste defeat until his 13th fight, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Jay Hieron in the International Fight League. Ellenberger has also competed under the M-1 Global, BodogFight, Sport Fight and Bellator Fighting Championships banners. He joined the UFC in 2009, losing a split decision to former WEC champion Carlos Condit in his debut at UFC Fight Night 19. Since that loss, Ellenberger has earned back-to-back victories, taking down Mike Pyle and John Howard.

UFC 126 will be headlined by a middleweight title clash between champion Anderson Silva and the rejuvenated Vitor Belfort. Also on the card will be a light heavyweight showdown between two top prospects, as Jon Jones battles Ryan Bader.