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More Fantasy News
In line to fight May 16
Elkins is being targeted for a featherweight matchup against Nate Landwehr on May 16 in Jacksonville, Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Elkins needs a bounce-back fight after coming up short in his last three bouts, so the UFC will give him an opponent who has logged just one fight with the company. Landwehr, a former M-1 Global champion, was knocked out in the first round by Herbert Burns back in January. As for Elkins, he's a veteran brawler that is as tough as they come and typically a solid fantasy scorer, even in losses. He recorded 82 significant strikes and a takedown in a 2018 bout against current champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Elkins needs a bounce-back fight after coming up short in his last three bouts, so the UFC will give him an opponent who has logged just one fight with the company. Landwehr, a former M-1 Global champion, was knocked out in the first round by Herbert Burns back in January. As for Elkins, he's a veteran brawler that is as tough as they come and typically a solid fantasy scorer, even in losses. He recorded 82 significant strikes and a takedown in a 2018 bout against current champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Unable to solve Ryan Hall
Elkins lost to Ryan Hall via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Sacramento.
ANALYSIS
Hall is arguably the most unorthodox fighter in the UFC, making him an exceptionally poor matchup for a straight forward brawler such as Elkins. "The Damage" does his best work from in close and that's impossible against an opponent such as Hall who is constantly on his bicycle and rolling around on the mat. The 35-year-old Elkins was in the title picture at this time a year ago, but he has now lost three fights in a row in a span of 364 days. Elkins is one of the toughest men walking planet earth and one of the sport's most respected veterans, but the UFC needs to be careful regarding who they match him up against moving forward.
Hall is arguably the most unorthodox fighter in the UFC, making him an exceptionally poor matchup for a straight forward brawler such as Elkins. "The Damage" does his best work from in close and that's impossible against an opponent such as Hall who is constantly on his bicycle and rolling around on the mat. The 35-year-old Elkins was in the title picture at this time a year ago, but he has now lost three fights in a row in a span of 364 days. Elkins is one of the toughest men walking planet earth and one of the sport's most respected veterans, but the UFC needs to be careful regarding who they match him up against moving forward.
To fight Hall in Sacramento
Elkins will face off against Ryan Hall in a featherweight matchup at UFC Sacramento on July 13.
ANALYSIS
Elkins is coming off of two straight losses, but his relentless, brawling style has allowed him to put up respectable striking numbers in each. He landed 82 significant strikes against Alexander Volkanovski a year ago -- a significantly greater mark that Jose Aldo was able to land last weekend at UFC 237. He'll now focus his efforts on Hall, who is 3-0 in UFC with a recent victory via heel hook submission against B.J. Penn in the first round. Hall has just three UFC fights, but has absorbed just a combined 17 significant strikes over that span. Elkins should be able to change that, provided he can avoid the takedown. His career takedown defense rate is a mediocre 57 percent.
Elkins is coming off of two straight losses, but his relentless, brawling style has allowed him to put up respectable striking numbers in each. He landed 82 significant strikes against Alexander Volkanovski a year ago -- a significantly greater mark that Jose Aldo was able to land last weekend at UFC 237. He'll now focus his efforts on Hall, who is 3-0 in UFC with a recent victory via heel hook submission against B.J. Penn in the first round. Hall has just three UFC fights, but has absorbed just a combined 17 significant strikes over that span. Elkins should be able to change that, provided he can avoid the takedown. His career takedown defense rate is a mediocre 57 percent.
Gets dominated in Argentina
Elkins lost to Ricardo Lamas via TKO (punches and elbows) at 4:09 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 140 on Saturday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
ANALYSIS
Elkins simply couldn't get anything going in this one, as Lamas stuffed his takedown attempts and battered his face and legs on the feet. "The Damage" is rightly lauded for his toughness but has taken an obscene amount of punishment in his last five fights, which may lead some to question if he is long for this sport. He has now suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, and holds a 24-7 record in professional MMA
Elkins simply couldn't get anything going in this one, as Lamas stuffed his takedown attempts and battered his face and legs on the feet. "The Damage" is rightly lauded for his toughness but has taken an obscene amount of punishment in his last five fights, which may lead some to question if he is long for this sport. He has now suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in his career, and holds a 24-7 record in professional MMA
Set for Argentina co-main event
Elkins will take on Ricardo Lamas in a featherweight matchup at UFC Argentina on Nov. 17.
ANALYSIS
Elkins had been riding a six-fight winning streak before his last time out, when he hanged tough with up-and-coming Alexander Volkanovski but ultimately fell short via decision. He'll draw a tough customer in Lamas, against whom he owns a two-inch reach advantage. Elkins has the ability to withstand any type of beating -- hence the nickname "The Damage" -- so if he enters as an underdog, he could represent a worthwhile fantasy play. He sports better striking volume and takedown numbers than Lamas, though Lamas has been facing a much higher caliber of competition over the last five years.
Elkins had been riding a six-fight winning streak before his last time out, when he hanged tough with up-and-coming Alexander Volkanovski but ultimately fell short via decision. He'll draw a tough customer in Lamas, against whom he owns a two-inch reach advantage. Elkins has the ability to withstand any type of beating -- hence the nickname "The Damage" -- so if he enters as an underdog, he could represent a worthwhile fantasy play. He sports better striking volume and takedown numbers than Lamas, though Lamas has been facing a much higher caliber of competition over the last five years.