Here is how the featherweight co-main event between Dennis Bermudez and Darren Elkins went down at UFC on FOX 25.
On July 22, 2017, the UFC made their debut on Long Island, New York for UFC on FOX 25. The event takes place at the newly renovated Nassau Coliseum. The main event features a middleweight fight between former champion Chris Weidman and Kelvin Gastelum. The co-main event featured a featherweight matchup between Dennis Bermudez and Darren Elkins.
Bermudez, who trains at Long Island MMA, is looking to get back to his winning ways after suffering a first round KO loss to “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung at UFC Fight Night 104 back in February.
Elkins is coming off the biggest win of his career,and one of the most memorable wins in UFC history. At UFC 209, after losing the first two rounds to Mirsad Bektic, Elkins dug down deep to score an incredible third round KO to push his winning streak, quietly, to four straight fights. Elkins is competing on his first main card since 2014, and his first UFC co-main event.
Here is how the fight unfolded, round-by-round, including FanSided’s scoring.
Next: UFC on FOX 25 live results & highlight tracker
ROUND 1
They touch gloves and get underway. Bermudez misses a flying knee attempt. Big leg kick from Bermudez as he is coming out very active as expected. Combination lands by Bermudez followed by another leg kick. Both guys trade punches and another nasty leg kick by Bermudez. Bermudez attempts a takedown, Elkins sprawls and transitions to the back. Bermudez gets back to his feet, but that doesn’t last long as Elkins get him back down, and the same thing happens again. Bermudez breaks the body lock and back to the feet. Elkins immediately takes Bermudez back down and takes his back. Elkins locks in a body triangle and lands a couple of hammer fists. Bermudez stands up and breaks the body triangle. Back to the feet they go. Elkins immediately shoots and picks Bermudez up and slams him down. As Bermudez gets back too is feet, he lands a combination, Elkins attempts a choke as the round ends.
What a takedown by @DarrenElkinsMMA #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/x1RrmsJpiR
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2017
FanSided scores it 10-9 for Elkins
ROUND 2
They keep the glove touch streak going and they both start trading shots. Elkins attempts a guillotine, but comes up short. Bermudez is throwing big punches. Elkins with a body lock, and Bermudez defends the takedown. Elkins is starting to open up with the striking game, landing punches followed by a leg kick. Now, Bermudez shoots for a double and lands a takedown of his own. Elkins uses the cage to get back to his feet. Bermudez keeps Elkins up against the cage a Elkins lands a couple of knees to the face of the Long Island MMA trained Bermudez. Elkins lands a flush right uppercut as Bermudez looks for a takedown. Another guillotine attempt from Elkins as he lands knees to the shoulders of Bermudez. Elkins takes the back, switches to a double and lands another takedown. Bermudez seems to slip, as Elkins tries to take his back a the horn sounds. Close round.
FanSided scores it 10-9 Elkins in a very close round to score
ROUND 3
They meet in the center and touch gloves as Bermudez seems to think he’s down in the scorecards, coming out aggressive and landing a nasty leg kick. Elkins lands a nice jab as Bermudez shoots in and pushes Elkins up against the cage. Combination lands for Bermudez, Elkins counters with a right hand. Bermudez is starting to attack the body of Elkins. “The Damage” shoots in and is working once again for a takedown up against the fence. Bermudez turns it around and separates. Halfway through the round, Elkins lands a big left hand, followed by another and a kick to the body. Right hand lands by Bermudez and he begins to work the body again. Bermudez looks for a takedown, Elkins defends. Just over a minute left in the fight as Bermudez has Elkins up against the cage. They separate and Elkins lands a right hand, and ahead kick behind it. Bermudez big swing and a miss with under 10-seconds to go. Elkins looks for one final takedown, but comes up short as the final horn sounds.
Both fighters trying to finish in the final round! @MenaceBermudez catches Elkins with the left! #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/wDIJRIi5iA
— UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2017