UFC on Fox 25 went back to the featherweight division for its co-main event, with a battle between Dennis Bermudez and Darren Elkins. Earlier in the night, Shane Burgos had provided plenty of action in the 145lb division, and Bermudez and Elkins were looking to follow suit. The third fight of the UFC Long Island main card, it held plenty of implications for the division.
Bermudez opened the action with a flying knee attempt early, and while it didn’t land flush, it teased the sort of action fans could expect to come. Elkins worked on the lead leg of Bermudez with kicks, while Bermudez showed excellent movement and stayed light on his feet. He landed a good right, and followed it with a superman punch attempt. A leg kick, from Bermudez this time, wobbled Elkins. Bermudez then slipped, which allowed Elkins to take his back. Not for long, however, as Bermudez was soon back on his feet. Elkins stayed on him however, latching on to his back like a leech. Towards the end of the round, Elkins managed to scoop up and slam Bermudez, but the action would make it to the second frame.
In the second Bermudez started out with a little pep in his step, putting everything he had behind his punches. He also worked on his takedown game, scoring a key double leg halfway through the round. Elkins, however, would not be held down long, and soon reversed position and looked for a takedown of his own. Another slam towards round’s end got Bermudez down, and Elkins tried to take the back, but couldn’t hang on. With both men scoring takedowns, the second round looked like a tough one to judge as the action headed to round three.
In the third, Bermudez opened with a hard kick to Elkins’ lead leg. Elkins answered back, and in a clinch along the fence Bermudez went to the body. Bermudez was able to fend off an Elkins’ takedown attempt, and began finding a home for his right hand. Elkins was still game in round three, however, answering back with combos and kicks of his own. As the action hit the final minute the pair picked up the pace, with Bermudez landing some solid shots along the fence, sending Elkins into retreat mode. There was no question about the third, but how would the judges score rounds one and two? In the end, Darren Elkins took the split decision win, the third decision victory of the UFC on Fox 25 main card.
Darren Elkins def. Dennis Bermudez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
