Jake Ellenberger took a split decision, including one unlikely 30-27 score, over Carlos Eduardo Rocha at UFC 126.

Ellenberger took Rocha immediately but Rocha quickly locked up and reversed forcing Ellenberger to stand back up. Then Ellenberger slammed Rocha down and took side mount but Rocha quickly got back up. Then Rocha shot and immediately took side control and landed some hard shots. Rocha then stepped over his head, took north-south then back to the other side. Rocha took Ellenberger's back and then moved to mount, effortlessly circling to different dominant positions. Then Ellendberger slipped out and got a tight front headlock in an amazing reversal. Rocha then lauched a spinning attack that ended with him falling after slipping on the logo. Rocha ended the round chasing a kimura that at one point looked to be in tight. 

Ellenberger got the front headlock again early in the second but Rocha got up quickly. Both men had noticably slowed. Rocha then began to kick, landing to the head and body. Both fighters were visibly winded. Ellenberger landed a left hook but there was very little action until Rocha landed a flying knee. Ellenberger winged a right that nicked Rocha. Rocha answered with a high body kick. Ellenberger then grabbed a body lock and took Rocha down. Rocha immediately moved to a very high guard and seemed to be close to getting a triangle late in the round. 

Everything was at stake going into the third with each man having won a round. Rocha landed a knee to the face in the first clinch. Then some leg kicks. Ellenberger answered. They exchanged missed punches then Ellenberger got another front headlock and bulled Rocha down but promptly let him back up. Rocha threw a spinning kick but didn't quite catch Ellenberger. Ellenberger than nailed Rocha with a punch. Ellenberger again shot in but got nowhere then he walked into a punch. Rocha threw a high kick and Ellenberger shoved him down hard. Let him right up. Then with 45 seconds left, Ellenberger took him down again.  The fight ended with Ellenberger on top throwing down. 

Ellenberger was the 23rd ranked welterweight in the world on the USAT/SBN Consensus MMA Rankings going into the fight.