Darren Elkins
The Damage
USA
Not competitive in Miami loss
Elkins lost to Julian Erosa via TKO (strikes) at 4:15 of Round 1 at UFC 314 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
This was a highly concerning performance from Elkins all the way around and one that makes you wonder if all the wars the 40-year-old Indiana native has been in over the years are starting to take their toll. Elkins appeared out of sorts from the very start and found himself in immediate trouble after eating an early upkick from Erosa flush in the face. Things got no better, and he was eventually put away for good late in Round 1. "The Damage" is 3-2 in his last five fights, so his roster spot would appear to be pretty secure, but the UFC clearly has to be very careful regarding who it matches him up against moving forward.
This was a highly concerning performance from Elkins all the way around and one that makes you wonder if all the wars the 40-year-old Indiana native has been in over the years are starting to take their toll. Elkins appeared out of sorts from the very start and found himself in immediate trouble after eating an early upkick from Erosa flush in the face. Things got no better, and he was eventually put away for good late in Round 1. "The Damage" is 3-2 in his last five fights, so his roster spot would appear to be pretty secure, but the UFC clearly has to be very careful regarding who it matches him up against moving forward.
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Will fight Julian Erosa
Elkins will face Julian Erosa at UFC 314 on April 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Elkins is a well-established veteran who's close to turning 41 years of age, but he remains active on the octagon and has been getting good results with a 3-1 record over his last four fights. "The Damage" won his most recent fight against Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision.
Elkins is a well-established veteran who's close to turning 41 years of age, but he remains active on the octagon and has been getting good results with a 3-1 record over his last four fights. "The Damage" won his most recent fight against Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision.
Vintage performance in win
Elkins defeated Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
If you've seen one Elkins fight, you've seen them all. There is no man on the UFC roster tougher, nor betting equipped to fight through difficult situations. As is often the case, "The Damage" dropped Round 1 here. Yet, he was able to stick with it and outworked his opponent over the course of the final 10 minutes to earn the decision win. Both men would walk away with $50,000 bonuses after this matchup was given Fight of the Night honors. Elkins is nearing the end of the line at age 40, but he's 3-1 in his past four fights dating back to April 2022. There's some gas left in the tank here as long as the UFC remains exceedingly careful regarding the level of competition it matches him up against moving forward.
If you've seen one Elkins fight, you've seen them all. There is no man on the UFC roster tougher, nor betting equipped to fight through difficult situations. As is often the case, "The Damage" dropped Round 1 here. Yet, he was able to stick with it and outworked his opponent over the course of the final 10 minutes to earn the decision win. Both men would walk away with $50,000 bonuses after this matchup was given Fight of the Night honors. Elkins is nearing the end of the line at age 40, but he's 3-1 in his past four fights dating back to April 2022. There's some gas left in the tank here as long as the UFC remains exceedingly careful regarding the level of competition it matches him up against moving forward.
Fighting Pineda in October
Elkins will take on Daniel Pineda at a UFC event in Las Vegas on October 19, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Elkins will take on Pineda in his first bout since undergoing surgery on his broken leg in December. The 40-year-old American will look to use his experience in the ring along with a size and reach advantage to take down the 39-year-old Pineda, who will be looking to turn things around coming off back-to-back losses in his two most recent bouts. Elkins will head into the fight coming off a submission victory over TJ Brown in his most recent bout last October.
Elkins will take on Pineda in his first bout since undergoing surgery on his broken leg in December. The 40-year-old American will look to use his experience in the ring along with a size and reach advantage to take down the 39-year-old Pineda, who will be looking to turn things around coming off back-to-back losses in his two most recent bouts. Elkins will head into the fight coming off a submission victory over TJ Brown in his most recent bout last October.
Set for leg surgery
Elkins underwent leg surgery and doesn't have a timetable for his return to the octagon, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Elkins will undergo surgery after suffering a "freak accident," as he described it on social media. "I snapped my tibia and fibula in my right leg by freak accident during jiu-jitsu last night," Elkins wrote. "Just got out of surgery where they put a nail in my leg." Elkins, who owns a 28-11 pro record but is 39 years old, most recently competed this past October at a UFC APEX event in Las Vegas, where he defeated TJ Brown via third-round submission.
Elkins will undergo surgery after suffering a "freak accident," as he described it on social media. "I snapped my tibia and fibula in my right leg by freak accident during jiu-jitsu last night," Elkins wrote. "Just got out of surgery where they put a nail in my leg." Elkins, who owns a 28-11 pro record but is 39 years old, most recently competed this past October at a UFC APEX event in Las Vegas, where he defeated TJ Brown via third-round submission.
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.