Darren Elkins

Darren Elkins
Born May 16, 1984
Hobart, Indiana, United States
Other names The Damage
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division Lightweight (2007-2010),
Featherweight (2011-present)
Reach 71.0 in (180 cm)[1]
Fighting out of Hobart, Indiana, United States
Team Duneland Vale Tudo
Rank      Brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[2]
Years active 2007-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 23
Wins 18
By knockout 7
By submission 3
By decision 8
Losses 5
By knockout 2
By submission 1
By decision 2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: December 16, 2013

Darren Keith Elkins (born May 16, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he fights in the Featherweight division. As of March 17, 2014, he is #12 in official UFC Featherweight rankings.[3]

Background

Elkins was born in Hobart, Indiana and competed all four years in wrestling for Portage High School. Elkins placed seventh as a freshman, Qualified as a sophomore, third as a junior, and was a State Champion as a senior. Darren also won multiple Freestyle State Championships as a youth. Elkins then went to college for two years and wrestled at University of Wisconsin Parkside, but didn’t earn a degree.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Elkins made his UFC debut on the preliminary card of UFC on Versus: Vera vs. Jones, where he defeated Duane Ludwig via TKO after Ludwig suffered a serious ankle injury after being taken down by Elkins in the first round.

His next bout took place on the preliminary card of UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko against Charles Oliveira.[5] Elkins took Oliveira down early, but his opponent quickly attempted a triangle choke. Oliveira then transitioned to an armbar, which forced Elkins to submit.

Elkins was expected to face touted prospect Edson Barboza on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123,[6] but Elkins was forced from the card with an injury and replaced by Mike Lullo.[7]

Elkins made his Featherweight debut against world ranked Michihiro Omigawa on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Elkins won a unanimous decision over Zhang Tiequan on October 8, 2011 at UFC 136.[9] After several failed guillotine attempts from Zhang, Elkins was able to dominate him from top position including at several points mounting him and pounding away with strikes.

Elkins defeated TUF 14 winner Diego Brandão on May 26, 2012 at UFC 146.[10] Elkins utilized his top game with ground and pound to win the second and third rounds, earning him the unanimous decision victory.

Elkins fought fellow Featherweight prospect Steven Siler on November 17, 2012 at UFC 154.[11] After dominating the fight for three rounds, Elkins was awarded the unanimous decision victory, moving him to 4-0 at featherweight and 5-1 overall in the UFC.

Elkins faced Antonio Carvalho on March 16, 2013 at UFC 158.[12] Elkins won via first round TKO stoppage after landing strikes that rocked Carvalho followed by a knockdown, prompting the ref to intervene.

After taking virtually no damage in the fight against Carvalho, Elkins made a quick return and faced Chad Mendes on April 20, 2013 at UFC on Fox 7, replacing an injured Clay Guida.[13] He lost the fight by 1st round TKO.

Elkins faced Hatsu Hioki on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.[14] After getting hurt by a body kick late in the first round, Elkins rallied in the last two rounds and won the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Elkins faced Jeremy Stephens on January 25, 2014 at UFC on Fox 10.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Elkins was briefly linked to a matchup with Tatsuya Kawajiri on September 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 52, but the bout never materialized as Kawajiri was sidelined indefinitely with a detached retina.[17]

Elkins faced Lucas Martins on October 25, 2014 at UFC 179.[18] Elkins won the fight via split decision.[19]

Elkins faced Hacran Dias on December 20, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 58.[20] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 18–5 Hacran Dias Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway December 20, 2014 3 5:00 Barueri, Brazil
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–4 Lucas Martins Decision (split) UFC 179 October 25, 2014 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 17–4 Jeremy Stephens Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson January 25, 2014 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–3 Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 2013 3 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 16–3 Chad Mendes TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 1 1:08 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–2 Antonio Carvalho TKO (punches) UFC 158 March 16, 2013 1 3:06 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–2 Steven Siler Decision (unanimous) UFC 154 November 17, 2012 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–2 Diego Brandão Decision (unanimous) UFC 146 May 26, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–2 Zhang Tiequan Decision (unanimous) UFC 136 October 8, 2011 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–2 Michihiro Omigawa Decision (unanimous) UFC 131 June 11, 2011 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Featherweight debut
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 11–2 Charles Oliveira Submission (armbar) UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko August 1, 2010 1 0:41 San Diego, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–1 Duane Ludwig TKO (ankle injury) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones March 21, 2010 1 0:44 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–1 Gideon Ray Decision (unanimous) Hoosier FC 1: Raise Up November 20, 2009 3 5:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–1 Bryan Neville TKO (punches) Total Fight Challenge 17 October 10, 2009 1 1:27 Hammond, Indiana, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 8–1 Ted Worthington TKO (doctor stoppage) Duneland Classic 6 September 12, 2009 1 0:13 Crown Point, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Danny Rodriguez Submission (rear-naked choke) Total Fight Challenge 15 May 30, 2009 1 1:36 Hammond, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) C3: Domination November 22, 2008 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States Won C3 Lightweight Championship
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Kenny Klein TKO (punches) C3: Summer Fight Fest 3 August 15, 2008 1 1:36 Highland, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Decarlo Johnson Submission (guillotine choke) C3: Corral Combat Classic 2 April 26, 2008 2 0:24 Hammond, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Atsuhiro Tsuboi Submission (Von Flue choke) Bodog Fight: Vancouver August 24, 2007 1 1:55 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Daniel Wanderley TKO (corner stoppage) IMMAC 2: Attack April 21, 2007 1 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Matt Joseph TKO (punches) Bourbon Street Brawl 3 April 4, 2007 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Jeremy Markam TKO (punches) Bourbon Street Brawl 2 January 24, 2007 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC 179 Aldo vs. Mendes 2". UFC.com. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  2. ↑ Jeff Neal. "UFC Fighter Darren Elkins receives 2nd stripe on brown belt by Carlson Gracie Aurora / Naperville / Channahon instructor Jeff Neal". carlsongracie-mma.com.
  3. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  4. ↑ "Darren Elkins - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  5. ↑ John Morgan. "Gunderson vs. Holst official for TUF 11 Finale, Elkins vs. Oliveira to UFC on Versus 2". MMAjunkie.
  6. ↑ "Darren Elkins vs. newcomer Edson Barboza planned for UFC 123 event". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  7. ↑ "Darren Elkins out, newcomer Mike Lullo in for UFC 123 prelims". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  8. ↑ "Darren Elkins dropping to 145, likely meets Michihiro Omigawa at UFC 131". mmajunkie.com. February 21, 2011.
  9. ↑ Cruz, Guilherme (August 12, 2011). "Tiequan Zhang vs. Darren Elkins set for UFC 136". Tatame.com. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Darren Elkins Faces Off With Diego Brandao At UFC 146". bloodyelbow.com. February 23, 2012.
  11. ↑ "UFC 154 adds featherweights Steven Siler vs. Darren Elkins". mmajunkie.com. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  12. ↑ Staff (January 21, 2013). "UFC 158 Fight Card Adds Antonio Carvalho vs. Darren Elkins". MMAWeekly.com.
  13. ↑ Matt Erickson (March 19, 2013). "Darren Elkins steps in for Clay Guida, meets Chad Mendes at UFC on FOX 7". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  14. ↑ Brett Okamoto (June 11, 2013). "Hioki and Elkins set for August clash". espn.co.uk. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  15. ↑ Brian Knapp (2013-08-28). "UFC Fight Night 27 Prelims: Darren Elkins upsets Hatsu Hioki in Indianapolis". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  16. ↑ Matt Erickson (2013-11-16). "Darren Elkins vs. Jeremy Stephens set for UFC on FOX 10 in Chicago". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  17. ↑ Anton Tabuena (2014-06-25). "Tatsuya Kawajiri out of UFC: Japan with detached retina". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  18. ↑ Staff (2014-09-09). "Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins slated for UFC 179 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-09-09.
  19. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2014-10-25). "UFC 179 results, photos: Darren Elkins goes deep to down Lucas Martins". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  20. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-11-11). "Darren Elkins gets quick turnaround, meets Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night 58". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-11-11.

External links