Darren Elkins

Fighter Facts 

• 22 fights at featherweight (16-6)
   
• Has won eight of his last 12 and two in a row
   
• Most recent pre-UFC victory (11/20/09) was decision win over UFC vet Gideon Ray
   
• Ten wins by KO, five by submission (Von Flue choke, guillotine, 3 RNC)
   
• Origin of nickname: “I got the nickname "The Damage" because my face is always bruised up and it’s really easy for me to get a cut.”

UFC History

UFC Fight Night0 (7/24/21) Elkins stopped Darrick Minner via TKO (strikes) at 3:48 of the second round
UFC on ESPN (11/7/20) Elkins submitted Eduardo Garagorri via rear naked choke at 2:22 of the third round
UFC on ESPN (5/16/20) Elkins lost a three round unanimous decision to Nate Landwehr
UFC Fight Night (7/13/19) Elkins lost a three round unanimous decision to Ryan Hall
UFC Fight Night (11/17/18) Elkins was stopped by Ricardo Lamas via strikes at 4:09 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (7/14/18) Elkins lost a three round unanimous decision to Alexander Volkanovski
UFC Fight Night (1/14/18) Elkins submitted Michael Johnson via rear naked choke at 2:22 of the second round
UFC on FOX (7/22/17) Elkins won a three round split decision over Dennis Bermudez
UFC 209 (3/4/17) Elkins knocked out Mirsad Bektic at 3:19 of the third round
UFC on FOX (7/23/16) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Godofredo Pepey
UFC 196 (3/5/16) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Chas Skelly
UFC Fight Night (10/24/15) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Robert Whiteford
UFC Fight Night (12/20/14) Elkins lost a three round unanimous decision to Hacran Dias
UFC 179 (10/25/14) Elkins won a three round split decision over Lucas Martins
UFC on FOX (1/25/14) Elkins lost a three round unanimous decision to Jeremy Stephens
UFC Fight Night (8/28/13) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Hatsu Hioki
UFC on FOX (4/20/13) Elkins was stopped by Chad Mendes via strikes at 1:08 of the first round
UFC 158 (3/16/13) Elkins stopped Antonio Carvalho via strikes at 3:06 of the first round
UFC 154 (11/17/12) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Steven Siler
UFC 146 (5/26/12) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Diego Brandao
UFC 136 (10/8/11) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Tiequan Zhang
UFC 131 (6/11/11) Elkins won a three round unanimous decision over Michihiro Omigawa
UFC on VERSUS 2 (8/1/10) Elkins was submitted by Charles Oliveira at :41 of the first round.
UFC on VERSUS 1 (3/21/10) Elkins defeated Duane Ludwig via TKO due to injury at :44 of the first round.

Q&A

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training MMA because I grew up watching the old UFC's and I saw how good the wrestlers were doing and wanted to do it ever since.
What ranks and titles have you held? I am a C3 lightweight champion. Brown belt in jiu-jitsu
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means a lot for me to be in the UFC because it’s the Super Bowl of MMA. I’ve always dreamed about some day fighting in the UFC.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I went to college for two years at University of Wisconsin Parkside and didn’t earn a degree.
What was your job before you started fighting? I am a Local 597 pipefitter
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? I was an Indiana state high school wrestling champion. I finished my high school career with 191-9 record. I was a 4 time freestyle wrestling champion and 2 time greco state champion.
Favorite grappling technique: guillotine and a rear naked choke.
Favorite Striking technique: straight right and Muay Thai knees