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Josh Koscheck Returns At UFC 184 For Crucial Matchup vs. Jake Ellenberger

By @RickLaFitte

 

Josh Koscheck exchanges punches with Tyron Woodley during UFC 167 welterweight battle

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Longtime Octagon mainstay Josh Koscheck will indeed make his return at UFC 184, but it won’t be against red-hot welterweight Neil Magny as had been widely rumoured. Instead, he will square off against Jake Ellenberger in a clash of two struggling veterans who are badly in need of a victory. Both competitors will be looking to shake three-fight losing skids when they tangle Feb. 28 in Los Angeles.

Koscheck has been one of the more colourful characters to ever grace the Octagon since coming on board as a cast member on Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter. The 37-year-old has been with the company since his third pro fight, compiling a 15-8 UFC record. He owns notable wins over Diego Sanchez, Anthony Johnson, Paul Daley and former two-time welterweight titlist Matt Hughes.

The biggest bout of Koscheck’s career was a failed 2010 title challenge in Montreal against Georges St-Pierre. He lost a lopsided unanimous decision, but showed plenty of courage in lasting the five-round distance. “Kos” sustained a broken orbital bone early in that contest.

Koscheck has dropped his last three fights, losing to current welterweight champion Johny Hendricks and top contenders Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley. He hasn’t fought since sustaining a devastating first-round knockout loss against “T-Wood” at UFC 167 in November of 2013.

Ellenberger will also be fighting with a high level of urgency as he will be looking to rebound from a first-round submission loss at UFC 180 against Kelvin Gastelum in Mexico City. “The Juggernaut” was also knocked out by Lawler and dropped a lackluster decision to Rory MacDonald during the course of a major slide that has seen him fall outside of the top-10 rankings.

He owns an 8-5 UFC record and has produced notable knockout victories inside the Octagon against Mike Pyle, Jake Shields and Nate Marquardt.

While the no. 11-ranked Ellenberger possesses formidable punching power, he’s had a difficult time pulling the trigger in recent appearances. Given the fact that Koscheck has been brutally knocked out in his last two bouts, a more aggressive Ellenberger could be a key to success. He has produced 18 knockouts in his 29 career victories.

This shapes up as the proverbial loser-leaves-town type of matchup at Staples Center. The winner of this 170-pound clash will live to fight another day, while the loser will very likely see their lengthy UFC tenure end on a sour note.

Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports

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