Darren Elkins proved a rugged, gutsy opponent, but ultimately Ricardo Lamas chopped away at him at UFC Argentina until he finally fell late in the third.
Top featherweights were in action at UFC Argentina when Ricardo Lamas faced off against Darren Elkins in the co-main event. Despite challenging Jose Aldo for the title back in 2014 at UFC 169, however, Lamas had hit a bit of a slump, having lost his last two bouts. Darren Elkins had a six fight winning streak snapped last time out, meanwhile, in a loss to Alexander Volkanovski.
Action between Lamas and Elkins was stopped almost immediately for a low blow, but that didn’t last long. Back underway, Lamas was able to dump his opponent to he canvas. But it was Elkins who later began to pressure, closing the distance, getting inside and pushing Elkins up against the fence. Lamas was a threat with his kicks, both high and low. As time wore down in the opening frame, it was Elkins scoring a late takedown, always a key to swaying the judges.
There was plenty of action on the feet early in the second, with Lamas and Elkins battling it out. Elkins was crafty with his kicks, and managed to set up a takedown with one near the midway mark. A heel hook attempt failed, and the pair made it back to the feet. Lamas was starting to connect; Elkins was bloodied, but still moving forward. Lamas than landed a hard leg kick, and another, wobbling the Indiana native and seriously hampering his mobility. The leg kicks continued, and Elkins was staggering around, trying to focus on movement. He finally re-engaged, driving Lamas into the fence. If nothing else, that eliminated the threat of more leg kicks for the time being.
BRUTAL!
The leg kick from @RicardoLamasMMA has Elkins hurt! #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/Is2tiKEGIk
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
In round three, Elkins’ mobility was going to be a serious question. He continued to move forward, still bloodied by one eye. Lamas was essentially fighting a wounded animal, and while it was easy to play arm-chair quarterback (or perhaps coach) and call for leg kicks, Elkins didn’t make it easy. He attempted to hang out of range, at other times taking Lamas up against the cage. Yet for every small victory in keeping his leg from being kicked clean off, he was losing the war. When Lamas shot a double leg and put Elkins on his back with ease, the writing was already on the wall. Still Lamas didn’t back off. Battering Elkins as he rolled over, Lamas got the TKO with just under a minute remaining!
Ricardo Lamas def. Darren Elkins by TKO, Round 3, 4:09
