UFC on ESPN 8 Results: Nate Landwehr Wins Bloody Brawl Against Darren Elkins

By
Dan Doherty
-
Darren Elkins and Nate Landwehr UFC on ESPN 8
Darren Elkins and Nate Landwehr Credit: Youtube/UFC

Nate Landwehr got his first Octagon victory in style at UFC on ESPN 8, delivering a Fight of the Night worthy effort against Darren Elkins.

Team Alpha MMA’s Darren Elkins, with the UFC since 2010, was looking to snap a three-fight skid when he ran up against Nate Landwehr on Saturday. A preliminary bout on the UFC on ESPN 8 card, Elkins was no doubt feeling the pressure against Landwehr, who had made his Octagon debut earlier this year in a losing effort against Herbert Burns.

Darren Elkins started the prelim scrap with a few jabs. He stayed busy with the left hand, hitting Nate Landwehr with it with a high success rate. Landwehr was firing back, but Elkins continued to pepper him with left hands and the occasional power right. Elkins ducked in and grabbed a single-leg, dragging Landwehr down. Landwehr was able to reverse position and temporarily found himself in a guillotine, but popped out and stood up. Landwehr started to fire more strikes and Elkins was cut open. Landwehr was getting hyped up, but Elkins was certainly commanding the stand-up exchanges. Elkins faked a takedown to induce a phonebooth-style exchange between both men. Landwehr pushed forward, ate a head kick, and landed a right hand before the round expired.

Elkins got the jab going again, but Landwehr was game. A takedown attempt was brushed off by Landwehr, who landed a slick uppercut after. Elkins, as usual, continued to strike at a high rate. The exchanges started to amplify as both men were swinging for the fences. A huge overhand right landed for Elkins, but Landwehr, who was looking much better in the second round, landed a combination on the veteran. Elkins closed the distance, but Landwehr was ready for it. He locked up a plum clinch and hit a huge knee to the head, throwing him off afterward. A cracking elbow landed as Elkins was coming in, opening up another cut on him. The referee paused action briefly to check on the damage to Elkins. Both men put on a show with 30 seconds left. Landwehr was showboating and yelling and Elkins was pushing the action.

Elkins shot for a takedown right away, but Landwehr reversed position and had Elkins on his back temporarily. Elkins, who was sporting a crimson mask, spun out and shot for a takedown. Landwehr stuffed him again, but ate a combo after they separated. Both men were finding success, but Elkins was unable to get the takedown he wanted. A huge combo and a right hand landed for Elkins. With less than 20 seconds left, Elkins and Landwehr threw down. Elkins was cracked right before the end of the round and we had an early favorite for Fight of the Night.

Nate Landwehr def. Darren Elkins by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR