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Vintage performance in win
Elkins defeated TJ Brown via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:23 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a vintage performance from the 39-year-old Elkins, as his heart and toughness were on display throughout the course of the fight. Darren understandably struggles in prolonged striking exchanges in his advanced age, so he leaned on his grappling in this fight, and Brown appeared more than willing to allow him to do so. The end result was 5-of-8 successful takedown attempts for 8:09 worth of control time and the rear-naked choke which ended the fight. Clearly showing he has some gas left in the tank, Elkins has alternated wins and losses in his past five fights.
It was a vintage performance from the 39-year-old Elkins, as his heart and toughness were on display throughout the course of the fight. Darren understandably struggles in prolonged striking exchanges in his advanced age, so he leaned on his grappling in this fight, and Brown appeared more than willing to allow him to do so. The end result was 5-of-8 successful takedown attempts for 8:09 worth of control time and the rear-naked choke which ended the fight. Clearly showing he has some gas left in the tank, Elkins has alternated wins and losses in his past five fights.
Next fight scheduled
Elkins will compete against TJ Brown in a featherweight fight at UFC Vegas 81 on Oct. 14, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
This could be Elkins' first and likely only fight of 2023. He last fought in December, losing to Jonathan Pearce via decision at UFC on ESPN 42. Elkins will try to prevent his first losing streak since a bad four-fight run he underwent in 2020.
This could be Elkins' first and likely only fight of 2023. He last fought in December, losing to Jonathan Pearce via decision at UFC on ESPN 42. Elkins will try to prevent his first losing streak since a bad four-fight run he underwent in 2020.
Not competitive in Orlando
Elkins lost to Jonathan Pearce via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 26-30) at UFC on ESPN 42 on Saturday in Orlando.
ANALYSIS
It was Elkins' 25th appearance with the UFC -- the most in featherweight history for the company. It did not go well. Going up against a younger, more talented opponent, "The Damage" displayed his trademark toughness and not much else. Left a bloody mess by the time it was all said and done, it's nothing short of a minor miracle Darren saw the final bell. Elkins is now 38 years of age and has been in countless wars over the years. He's 3-2 in his past five fights, so there's clearly some gas left in the tank, but the UFC is going to have to be extremely regarding who they match him up against moving forward. They didn't do that here.
It was Elkins' 25th appearance with the UFC -- the most in featherweight history for the company. It did not go well. Going up against a younger, more talented opponent, "The Damage" displayed his trademark toughness and not much else. Left a bloody mess by the time it was all said and done, it's nothing short of a minor miracle Darren saw the final bell. Elkins is now 38 years of age and has been in countless wars over the years. He's 3-2 in his past five fights, so there's clearly some gas left in the tank, but the UFC is going to have to be extremely regarding who they match him up against moving forward. They didn't do that here.
Set to fight Dec. 3
Elkins will take on Jonathan Pearce at the UFC event on Dec. 3, Team Iridium Sports Agency reports.
ANALYSIS
Elkins was able to defeat Tristan Connelly by unanimous decision back in April. It was a nice rebound after being knocked out in December of 2021 by Cub Swanson. Elkins will be looking to jump to above .500 with the UFC when the promotion heads to Orlando in early December.
Elkins was able to defeat Tristan Connelly by unanimous decision back in April. It was a nice rebound after being knocked out in December of 2021 by Cub Swanson. Elkins will be looking to jump to above .500 with the UFC when the promotion heads to Orlando in early December.
Enters free agency with win
Elkins defeated Tristan Connelly via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC on ESPN 35 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was an easy win for Elkins and an impressive performance on the heels of his first-round knockout loss at the hands of Cub Swanson last December. Elkins' toughness is legendary, and his grinding style of fighting gave Connelly all sorts of trouble. Darren has evolved into primarily a brawler in the later stages of his career, but he leaned on his wrestling game in this one, connecting on 5-of-10 takedown attempts, good for 7:52 worth of control time. Elkins revealed in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping that this was the last fight of his UFC contract, and he hopes to return in September. Elkins appeared to be on borrowed time following a four-fight losing streak from July 2018 to May 2020, but he has won three of four since and still has plenty of value, as long as the UFC is careful regarding who they match him up against moving forward. It would be surprising if the two parties couldn't come to terms on a new deal.
It was an easy win for Elkins and an impressive performance on the heels of his first-round knockout loss at the hands of Cub Swanson last December. Elkins' toughness is legendary, and his grinding style of fighting gave Connelly all sorts of trouble. Darren has evolved into primarily a brawler in the later stages of his career, but he leaned on his wrestling game in this one, connecting on 5-of-10 takedown attempts, good for 7:52 worth of control time. Elkins revealed in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping that this was the last fight of his UFC contract, and he hopes to return in September. Elkins appeared to be on borrowed time following a four-fight losing streak from July 2018 to May 2020, but he has won three of four since and still has plenty of value, as long as the UFC is careful regarding who they match him up against moving forward. It would be surprising if the two parties couldn't come to terms on a new deal.