Jake Ellenberger’s Jan. 4 showdown with Tarec Saffiedine is now official. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
A pivotal welterweight main event between Jake Ellenberger and Tarec Saffiedine is now official for the UFC’s inaugural trip to Singapore.
Ellenberger, 28, saw a two-fight winning streak snapped in his most recent outing, when he was outpointed by Rory MacDonald in a lackluster showing at UFC on Fox 8. Prior to that setback, “The Juggernaut” avenged a 2006 defeat to Jay Hieron to close out last year and kicked off 2013 with a devastating knockout of former Strikeforce titlist Nate Marquardt.
Saffiedine, meanwhile, rides four straight wins into his UFC debut. Like Ellenberger, Saffiedine also holds a win over Marquardt, as he outpointed “The Great” to win the Strikeforce belt this past January at the promotion’s final show. “The Sponge” has not lost since dropping a unanimous decision to Tyron Woodley in January 2011, outpointing Scott Smith, Tyler Stinson and Roger Bowling before dethroning Marquardt.