Bryan Barberena was forced out of UFC Fight Night Utica due to injury, but Jake Ellenberger didn’t have to wait long for an opponent according to MMA Junkie because Ben Saunders has agreed to step in on short notice.
Ellenberger (31-13-0) enters the contest riding a two fight losing streak and he hasn’t won a bout in almost two years. Ellenberger has actually won just two of his last nine fights in the UFC, with those wins coming over the duo of Matt Brown and Josh Koscheck. Ellenberger also returns to action for the first time in over a year, as his last bout at UFC Fight Night 108 took place in April of 2017.
Saunders (21-9-2) enters the contest in the midst of a two fight losing streak, dropping bouts to both Alan Jouban and Peter Sobotta. Saunders hasn’t earned a victory in over a year, with that last victory coming over Court McGee at UFC Fight Night 103. Saunders is currently in his second run with the UFC, earning a record of 5-3-0 on this second opportunity.
UFC Fight Night Utica takes place on Friday, June 1 from the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York with Marlon Moraes and Jimmie Rivera headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.
