Elkins grinds out split decision win over Bermudez
Darren Elkins dragged Dennis Bermudez into deep waters, just where he likes it.
"The Damage" picked up a split decision win over Bermudez in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 25 in Long Island on Saturday after three grueling rounds where the fighters rarely gave each other any room to breathe.
Darren Elkins guts out a split decision victory as an underdog to earn his fifth straight win over Dennis Bermudez! https://t.co/UZpHXXLNN8
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 23, 2017
With the win, Elkins has now won five straight fights, a streak that is second in the featherweight division only to UFC champion Max Holloway (10). He also picked up his 10th win at 145 pounds, which is also second behind Holloway (13).
Elkins's performance was punctuated by two big slams in the first and second rounds. Those moments were indicative of the slight advantage Elkins had in the grappling as he managed three takedowns to Bermudez's one.
Other aspects of the fight were almost too close to call. Neither man dominated on the ground and Elkins only landed one more significant strike (70-69) according to UFC.com. The back-and-forth nature of the contest was reflected in the cards, with two judges awarding Elkins 29-28 scores and one giving the fight to Bermudez by the same tally.
Bermudez sees his UFC record fall to 9-5 and he has won just two of his past six fights.