Darren Elkins

Darren Keith Elkins (born May 16, 1984)[4] is an American mixed martial artist signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he fights in the Featherweight division.

Darren Elkins
BornDarren Keith Elkins
(1984-05-16) May 16, 1984
Portage, Indiana, United States
Other namesThe Damage
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionLightweight (2007–2010)
Featherweight (2011–present)
Reach71 in (180 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofPortage, Indiana, United States
TeamDuneland Vale Tudo
Team Alpha Male[2]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins25
By knockout8
By submission5
By decision12
Losses9
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Elkins was born in Hobart, Indiana and competed four years in wrestling for Portage High School. Elkins placed seventh in the state of Indiana as a freshman, qualified for the state competition as a sophomore, placed third as a junior, and was a State Champion as a high school 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 did not finish his education at the university nor earn a degree.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Elkins made his UFC debut on the preliminary card of UFC on Versus 1, 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 on Versus 2 against Charles Oliveira.[6] 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, 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. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[8]

Elkins won a unanimous decision over Zhang Tiequan on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136. 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.[9]

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

Elkins fought fellow featherweight prospect Steven Siler on November 17, 2012, at UFC 154. 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.[11]

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

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.[14]

Elkins faced Hatsu Hioki on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27. 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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[16]

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. Elkins won the fight via split decision. The scorecards were 30-27, 30-27, 27-30. [18]

Elkins faced Hacran Dias on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58. Fighting in Brazil for his second straight fight, he lost the fight via unanimous decision, 29-28 across the scorecards.[19]

For a third consecutive fight, Elkins appeared on an international card where he faced Robert Whiteford on October 24, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 76. He won the fight via a dominating 30-27 unanimous decision, almost finishing Whiteford on one occasion. [20]

Elkins next faced Chas Skelly on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. He won the fight by a dominating unanimous decision, 30-26, 30-27, 29-27. [21]

Elkins faced Godofredo Pepey on July 23, 2016, at UFC on Fox 20. He won the fight via dominating unanimous decision, 30-26, 29-27, 29-27. [22]

Elkins faced Mirsad Bektić on March 4, 2017, at UFC 209. After being dominated the first two and a half rounds, Elkins rallied back in the third round and won by knockout due to punches and a head kick. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history. [23][24] He was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[25]

Elkins faced Dennis Bermudez on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox 25. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29. [26]

Elkins faced Michael Johnson on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi.[27] He won the fight via rear naked choke submission in round two. The trademark "Damage" weathered a first round storm to complete the comeback and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[28][29]

Elkins faced Alexander Volkanovski on July 14, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Elkins faced Ricardo Lamas on November 17, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140.[32] He lost the fight via TKO in the third round.[33]

Elkins faced Ryan Hall on July 13, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 13.[34] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[35]

Elkins faced Nate Landwehr on May 16, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris.[36] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[37]

Elkins faced Luiz Eduardo Garagorri on November 7, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.[38] He won the fight via a submission in round three.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
34 matches 25 wins 9 losses
By knockout 8 3
By submission 5 1
By decision 12 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 25–9 Luiz Eduardo Garagorri Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira November 7, 2020 3 2:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 24–9 Nate Landwehr Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris May 16, 2020 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Loss 24–8 Ryan Hall Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd July 13, 2019 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 24–7 Ricardo Lamas TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio November 17, 2018 3 4:09 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Loss 24–6 Alexander Volkanovski Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov July 14, 2018 3 5:00 Boise, Idaho, United States
Win 24–5 Michael Johnson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi January 14, 2018 2 2:22 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 23–5 Dennis Bermudez Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum July 22, 2017 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States
Win 22–5 Mirsad Bektić KO (punches) UFC 209 March 4, 2017 3 3:19 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 21–5 Godofredo Pepey Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko July 23, 2016 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 20–5 Chas Skelly Decision (unanimous) UFC 196 March 5, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–5 Robert Whiteford Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holohan vs. Smolka October 24, 2015 3 5:00 Dublin, Ireland
Loss 18–5 Hacran Dias Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway December 20, 2014 3 5:00 Barueri, Brazil
Win 18–4 Lucas Martins Decision (split) UFC 179 October 25, 2014 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 17–4 Jeremy Stephens Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Thomson January 25, 2014 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 17–3 Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 2013 3 5:00 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss 16–3 Chad Mendes TKO (punches) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez April 20, 2013 1 1:08 San Jose, California, United States
Win 16–2 Antonio Carvalho TKO (punches) UFC 158 March 16, 2013 1 3:06 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 15–2 Steven Siler Decision (unanimous) UFC 154 November 17, 2012 3 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Win 14–2 Diego Brandão Decision (unanimous) UFC 146 May 26, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–2 Zhang Tiequan Decision (unanimous) UFC 136 October 8, 2011 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 12–2 Michihiro Omigawa Decision (unanimous) UFC 131 June 11, 2011 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Featherweight debut.
Loss 11–2 Charles Oliveira Submission (armbar) UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko August 1, 2010 1 0:41 San Diego, California, United States
Win 11–1 Duane Ludwig TKO (ankle injury) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones March 21, 2010 1 0:44 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 10–1 Gideon Ray Decision (unanimous) Hoosier FC 1: Raise Up November 20, 2009 3 5:00 Valparaiso, Indiana, United States
Win 9–1 Bryan Neville TKO (punches) Total Fight Challenge 17 October 10, 2009 1 1:27 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Loss 8–1 Ted Worthington TKO (doctor stoppage) Duneland Classic 6 September 12, 2009 1 0:13 Crown Point, Indiana, United States
Win 8–0 Danny Rodriguez Submission (rear-naked choke) Total Fight Challenge 15 May 30, 2009 1 1:36 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 7–0 Pat Curran Decision (unanimous) C3: Domination November 22, 2008 3 5:00 Hammond, Indiana, United States Won the C3 Lightweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Kenny Klein TKO (punches) C3: Summer Fight Fest 3 August 15, 2008 1 1:36 Highland, Indiana, United States
Win 5–0 Decarlo Johnson Submission (guillotine choke) C3: Corral Combat Classic 2 April 26, 2008 2 0:24 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 4–0 Atsuhiro Tsuboi Submission (Von Flue choke) Bodog Fight: Vancouver August 24, 2007 1 1:55 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 3–0 Daniel Wanderley TKO (corner stoppage) IMMAC 2: Attack April 21, 2007 1 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 2–0 Matt Joseph TKO (punches) Bourbon Street Brawl 3 April 4, 2007 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0 Jeremy Markam TKO (punches) Bourbon Street Brawl 2 January 24, 2007 1 N/A Chicago, Illinois, United States

[42]

See also

References
  1. "Fight Card - UFC 179 Aldo vs. Mendes 2". UFC.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  2. Matt Erickson (2016-03-06). "Despite uprooting family for California, Portage grad Darren Elkins staying blue collar". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  3. Jeff Neal. "UFC Fighter Darren Elkins receives 2nd stripe on brown belt by Carlson Gracie Aurora / Naperville / Channahon instructor Jeff Neal". carlsongracie-mma.com.
  4. Mixed martial arts show results Date: March 4, 2017
  5. "Darren Elkins - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  6. John Morgan. "Gunderson vs. Holst official for TUF 11 Finale, Elkins vs. Oliveira to UFC on Versus 2". MMAjunkie. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15.
  7. "Darren Elkins out, newcomer Mike Lullo in for UFC 123 prelims". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  8. Leland Roling (2011-06-11). "UFC 131 Results: Darren Elkins defeats Michihiro Omigawa by unanimous decision". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  9. Leland Roling (2011-10-08). "UFC 136 Results: Darren Elkins out grapples Tiequan Zhang, wins decision". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2011-10-08.
  10. Staff (2012-05-27). "UFC 146 results: Battered Darren Elkins survives, upsets Diego Brandao". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-05-27.
  11. Matt Erickson (2012-11-17). "UFC 154 results: Darren Elkins dominates Steven Siler to take unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-11-17.
  12. Matt Erickson (2013-03-17). "UFC 158 results: Darren Elkins clips Antonio Carvalho, earns quick stop". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  13. Matt Erickson (March 19, 2013). "Darren Elkins steps in for Clay Guida, meets Chad Mendes at UFC on FOX 7". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  14. Mike Chiapetta (2013-04-20). "UFC on FOX 7 results: Chad Mendes stops Darren Elkins by TKO". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  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. Alex Schlinsky (2014-01-25). "UFC on FOX 10 results: Jeremy Stephens defeats Darren Elkins by Unanimous Decision". fansided.com. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  17. Anton Tabuena (2014-06-25). "Tatsuya Kawajiri out of UFC: Japan with detached retina". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  18. Ben Fowlkes (2014-10-25). "UFC 179 results, photos: Darren Elkins goes deep to down Lucas Martins". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  19. Steven Marrocco (2014-12-20). "UFC Fight Night 58 results: Hacran Dias outwrestles Darren Elkins for decision win". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-12-20.
  20. Brent Brookhouse (2015-10-24). "UFC Fight Night 76 results: Darren Elkins grinds out Robert Whiteford for sweep". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  21. Brent Brookhouse (2016-03-05). "UFC 196 results: Darren Elkins' grinding attack too much for Chas Skelly". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  22. Dave Doyle (2016-07-23). "UFC on FOX 20 results: Darren Elkins overcomes foul, beats Godofredo Pepey". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-07-23.
  23. Dave Doyle (2017-03-04). "UFC 209 results: Darren Elkins stops Mirsad Bektic in thrilling comeback". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  24. Shaun Al-Shatti (2017-03-08). "Darren Elkins and the impossible comeback". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
  25. Tristen Critchfield (2017-03-05). "UFC 209 bonuses: Teymur, Vannata, Elkins, Alcantara capture $50K awards". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  26. "UFC on FOX 25 results: Darren Elkins turns in gritty performance to beat Dennis Bermudez". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  27. Tristen Critchfield (2017-11-09). "Michael Johnson drops to featherweight, meets Darren Elkins at UFC Fight Night 124". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
  28. Jr., Fernando Quiles (2018-01-14). "Darren Elkins Shocks Michael Johnson In St. Louis". LowKickMMA.com. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
  29. Tristen Critchfield (2018-01-14). "UFC Fight Night 124 Bonuses: Stephens, Choi, Elkins, Reyes Receive $50K Checks". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  30. Dale Jordan (2018-05-09). "Darren Elkins vs Alexander Volkanovski added to UFC Fight Night 133 in Idaho". mmamad.com. Archived from the original on 2018-05-10. Retrieved 2018-05-09.
  31. Matt Erickson (2018-07-14). "UFC Fight Night 133 results: Alex Volkanovski tops typically gritty Darren Elkins". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-07-15.
  32. Staff (2018-10-23). "Darren Elkins meets Ricardo Lamas in UFC Buenos Aires co-headliner". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  33. Dave Doyle (2018-11-18). "UFC Argentina results: Ricardo Lamas earns third-round finish of Darren Elkins". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
  34. "Cynthia Calvillo-Livinha Souza, Ryan Hall-Darren Elkins among UFC Sacramento bouts announced". MMA Junkie. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  35. Orl; oyo (2019-07-13). "UFC Sacramento: Ryan Hall dominates Darren Elkins in one-sided fight". FanSided. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  36. Martin, Damon (2020-05-01). "UFC reveals full fight cards for May 13 and May 16 events". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  37. "Darren Elkins vs. Nate Landwehr Results and News - UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Overeem vs. Harris - MMA Fighting". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  38. Redactie (2020-09-29). "Darren Elkins meets Eduardo Garagorri on November 7". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  39. Harshman, Heath (2020-11-07). "UFC Vegas 13 Results: Darren Elkins Snaps Skid, Submits Eduardo Garagorri". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-11-08.
  40. Mike Bohn (November 5, 2020). "UFC on ESPN+ 40 pre-event facts: Thiago Santos aims for UFC knockout record". MMAjunkie.com.
  41. Dann Stupp (2018-01-05). "MMAjunkie's '2017 Comeback of the Year': Darren Elkins lives up to 'The Damage' nickname". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
  42. Sherdog.com. "Darren". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
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