Daniel Zellhuber
Golden Boy
Mexico
Falls as biggest favorite on card
Zellhuber lost to Michael Johnson via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
What a disaster. Widely regarded as one of the better up-and-coming fighters at 155 pounds, the 26-year-old Zellhuber put forth a total stinker against the 39-year-old Johnson as a -700 favorite, largest on the entire card. Zellhuber, a pure striker, struggled to land with any consistency until Round 3. His only real notable blows were repeated high kicks which were apparently fired off in an attempt to damage Johnson's arms. It didn't work. Zellhuber was dropped early in Round 2 and was down 20-18 on all three scorecards before he knew it. A late surge wasn't enough. Zellhuber is young enough to learn from this, but with back-to-back setbacks on his resume and just a 3-3 mark in his first half-dozen UFC bouts, there are major concerns moving forward.
What a disaster. Widely regarded as one of the better up-and-coming fighters at 155 pounds, the 26-year-old Zellhuber put forth a total stinker against the 39-year-old Johnson as a -700 favorite, largest on the entire card. Zellhuber, a pure striker, struggled to land with any consistency until Round 3. His only real notable blows were repeated high kicks which were apparently fired off in an attempt to damage Johnson's arms. It didn't work. Zellhuber was dropped early in Round 2 and was down 20-18 on all three scorecards before he knew it. A late surge wasn't enough. Zellhuber is young enough to learn from this, but with back-to-back setbacks on his resume and just a 3-3 mark in his first half-dozen UFC bouts, there are major concerns moving forward.
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Added to UFC 318
Zellhuber will take on Michael Johnson in a lightweight battle at UFC 318 on July 19, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zellhuber lost a split-decision to Esteban Ribovics last September to snap a three-fight winning streak. He was scheduled for a bounce-back opportunity against Austin Hubbard in March, but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Now presumably healthy, he draws a veteran in Johnson who is coming off back-to-back wins. Zellhuber will hold height and reach advantages, in addition to an edge in volume striking.
Zellhuber lost a split-decision to Esteban Ribovics last September to snap a three-fight winning streak. He was scheduled for a bounce-back opportunity against Austin Hubbard in March, but withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. Now presumably healthy, he draws a veteran in Johnson who is coming off back-to-back wins. Zellhuber will hold height and reach advantages, in addition to an edge in volume striking.
Removed from UFC Mexico
Zellhuber (undisclosed) will no longer take on Austin Hubbard at UFC Mexico on March 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
It's currently unclear why Zellhuber was forced to withdraw from the fight, but this fight has been a mess all month as he was already forced to book a replacement fighter after Elves Brener withdrew. Now, Zellhuber won't fight at all, and MarQuel Mederos will take his place.
It's currently unclear why Zellhuber was forced to withdraw from the fight, but this fight has been a mess all month as he was already forced to book a replacement fighter after Elves Brener withdrew. Now, Zellhuber won't fight at all, and MarQuel Mederos will take his place.
Schedules replacement opponent
Zellhuber will now fight Austin Hubbard at UFC Mexico on March 29 following the withdrawal of Elves Brener (undisclosed), CC Legaspi of ESPN Deportes reports.
ANALYSIS
No reason was provided for Brener's withdrawal, but it seems the UFC has found a late-notice replacement roughly a month before the event. However, rumors have been circulating that Zellhuber will have to withdraw due to injury as well, so the reshuffling may be moot when it's all said and done.
No reason was provided for Brener's withdrawal, but it seems the UFC has found a late-notice replacement roughly a month before the event. However, rumors have been circulating that Zellhuber will have to withdraw due to injury as well, so the reshuffling may be moot when it's all said and done.
Draws Brener in Mexico
Zellhuber will take on Elves Brener in a lightweight matchup at UFC Mexico on March 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Zellhuber had a three-fight winning streak snapped against Esteban Ribovics last September and will now look to bounce back against Brener, the loser of two straight. Zellhuber has advantages in both height and reach, in addition to volume striking. He also sports an excellent 94 percent takedown defense, just in case Brener chooses to apply a wrestling-based attack.
Zellhuber had a three-fight winning streak snapped against Esteban Ribovics last September and will now look to bounce back against Brener, the loser of two straight. Zellhuber has advantages in both height and reach, in addition to volume striking. He also sports an excellent 94 percent takedown defense, just in case Brener chooses to apply a wrestling-based attack.
Sees final bell in absolute war
Zellhuber lost to Esteban Ribovics via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 306 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It appeared impossible to top the prior bout, but these two succeeded. Zellhuber was in firm position to earn a decision victory until the final few minutes. He was up two rounds on one scorecard, while the other two had it tied a round apiece. He knocked Ribovics down with an elbow early in Round 3, only to be greeted with an onslaught in return. Daniel ate 92 significant strikes in the finale frame alone, most of which went unanswered. Referee Jason Herzog could have stopped the fight at any time, but Zellhuber displayed excellent head movement the entire way and never went to the canvas, so Herzog allowed him to remain in the bout. He eventually somehow appeared to somewhat recover, but the damage was already done, and it resulted in the split-decision defeat. Zellhuber just turned 25 years of age and still has a ton of long-term potential, but his UFC run to date has been inconsistent. He's 3-2 in five official fights with the company, including a victory on Dana White's Contender Series. At least he would go on to earn a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts here.
It appeared impossible to top the prior bout, but these two succeeded. Zellhuber was in firm position to earn a decision victory until the final few minutes. He was up two rounds on one scorecard, while the other two had it tied a round apiece. He knocked Ribovics down with an elbow early in Round 3, only to be greeted with an onslaught in return. Daniel ate 92 significant strikes in the finale frame alone, most of which went unanswered. Referee Jason Herzog could have stopped the fight at any time, but Zellhuber displayed excellent head movement the entire way and never went to the canvas, so Herzog allowed him to remain in the bout. He eventually somehow appeared to somewhat recover, but the damage was already done, and it resulted in the split-decision defeat. Zellhuber just turned 25 years of age and still has a ton of long-term potential, but his UFC run to date has been inconsistent. He's 3-2 in five official fights with the company, including a victory on Dana White's Contender Series. At least he would go on to earn a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts here.