Darren Elkins was relentless from the first second until the last as he secured a unanimous decision win over Tristan Connelly at UFC Vegas 53.
Known for always living up to his nickname as “The Damage,” Elkins was dishing out far more punishment than he was absorbing this time around while also mixing in some suffocating grappling exchanges to prevent Connelly from ever dragging himself back into the fight. When it was over, all three judges scored the fight 30-27 as Elkins picks up his third win in his past four fights.
“It’s that warrior spirit in me,” Elkins said. “I get tagged and I’m like I’ve got to get him back. Although I didn’t feel hurt, he did hit me with some serious shots.
” I want to fight again, maybe in September-ish. This was the last fight on my contract so hey Sean [Shelby], let’s get a new contract.”
Elkins was a relentless fighter as he charged through the cage and hurled some hard right hands at Connelly before landing on his back with a takedown. Connelly managed to get up on his feet but Elkins quickly put him back down as Elkins continued to display superior grappling and wrestling from the top.
Elkins was methodical with his pressure while picking and choosing his punches but never giving Connelly much room to breathe, escape or forge a comeback. Elkins’ relentless aggression was unstoppable as he kept Connelly pushing backwards, before finally looking for another takedown that would bring the fight to his mat.
Connelly finally managed to get some distance from Elkins and unleashed some powerful calf kicks. Connelly was also able to find a place for his punches, but his momentum was often hampered by Elkins’ pressure and wrestling.
Connelly was not going away. This led to some ugly elbows, but Elkins continued to answer shot for shot, and later mixing in takedowns, to keep his edge. Elkins almost locked onto a rear-naked choke to win a late fight, but Connelly managed just enough to hold the hand to make it to the end.
Elkins is a fighter who has never been in boring fights, something that would seem to secure his future at the UFC even though his contract ended with Saturday’s win.
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