By Kelsey Mowatt

Despite speculation and reports that a bout between Jake Ellenberger and fellow veteran Diego Sanchez is in the works for UFC 141 in December, Ellenberger says that the match-up has not been offered to him yet. When FCF caught up with the rising contender today and asked him about the rumored bout, Ellenberger stated:

“I actually haven’t been brought that fight,” Ellenberger informed FCF. “I actually haven’t been offered any fight yet, so as far as right now that’s not true. It’s definitely possible, but that fight hasn’t been brought to me yet.”

While Ellenberger reports that UFC officials have not discussed a possible fight with Sanchez yet, that’s not to say that the 26 year-old veteran isn’t interested in fighting the accomplished welterweight.

“I would love it,” Ellenberger said about Sanchez (23-4), who is coming off back-to-back wins over Paulo Thiago and most recently Martin Kampmann. “He’s a really tough fighter who has beaten a lot of good guys. It’s a great match-up if it does happen. I would definitely do it.”

As a result of Ellenberger’s (26-5) quick, first round stoppage of former Strikeforce champ Jake Shields on September 17^th, the Omaha fighter has worked his way into the title shot mix.

“He’s definitely a top ten guy,” said Ellenberger, while discussing what would be at stake in fighting Sanchez. “A lot of the other guys are tied up right now and he’s right up there. It doesn’t really matter to me; I’ll fight anybody; whoever I need to beat to get a title shot.”

And in terms of how Elllenberger believes he matches up against Sanchez if the bout does come together?

“He’s pretty good everywhere, he’s not great anywhere, but he’s pretty good,” said Ellenberger, who has also scored stoppage wins over Sean Pierson, John Howard and Mike Pyle during his current five fight win streak . “I don’t really see how he could win the fight though. I really don’t.”