They say recent results are the clearest indicators of future performance. Not in the case of Jake Ellenberger.
Having thrown out his anchor at Kings MMA, Ellenberger floored the Xenia, Ohio, native with an overhand right during their initial exchange. He then fought through fatigue after his subsequent attacks failed to net the finish, steadied himself in the face of Brown’s increasing pressure and delivered the fight-ending kick.
There were others who threw the oddsmakers curveballs, most notably Tyron Woodley. The two-time NCAA All-American wrestler laid waste to American Top Team stablemate Robbie Lawler (-130) in the main event, capturing the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight crown with a stirring first-round knockout. Woodley (+105) became just the second man -- Nick Diaz was the other -- to knock out Lawler, who had enjoyed a 602-day reign atop the 170-pound weight class.
Finally, the unbeaten Karolina Kowalkiewicz (+163) cemented her place as the No. 1 contender for the UFC women’s strawweight championship with a three-round split decision over Rose Namajunas (-195) in the co-main event. Kowalkiewicz battered “The Ultimate Fighter 20” finalist with knees and elbows in the clinch, exercising her superiority in the second and third rounds. Kowalkiewicz, now 10-0, has set her sights on fellow Pole and 115-pound titleholder Joanna Jedrzejczyk.