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Sanchez first, then Condit - Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger stopped Jake Shields last time out © Getty Images

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Jake Ellenberger admits Carlos Condit is "definitely" on his mind ahead of Wednesday's welterweight battle with Diego Sanchez, but he is focused fully on taking care of matters at UFC on Fuel before looking towards his next opponent.

Ellenberger is a force at 170lbs, currently riding a five-fight win streak towards the top of the welterweight division. His last outing saw him take 53 seconds to do something that champion Georges St-Pierre could not manage in 25 minutes, knocking out Jake Shields.

Next up is Sanchez, a man known for not taking a backward step. Both men will throw with bad intention, the winner taking a significant leap up the welterweight ladder.

In Ellenberger's case, given his win streak and the level of opponent he has defeated, victory could earn him an interim title shot at Condit - the last man to beat him after Ellenberger took the fight on 11 days' notice.

Condit is without an opponent after Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana, and Ellenberger admits he will think about the Natural Born Killer, once he's dealt with Sanchez.

"I would definitely like [a rematch with Condit], but right now, I really haven't thought much past Diego at all," Ellenberger told USA Today. "He's an extremely tough challenge for me right now and that's really all I've been focused on.

"After this fight, we can go back and evaluate the situation, but really, Diego's all I've been focused on. Diego's always been an exciting fighter and a tough cat too. He's just another guy I have to get past and prove I'm one of the best."

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