UFC on FOX 25 results: Darren Elkins stifles Dennis Bermudez, wins split decision

Powerful Featherweight wrestlers Dennis Bermudez (No. 10) and Darren Elkins (No. 12) met in a 145-pound contest tonight (Sat., July 22, 2017) at UFC on FOX 25: "Weidman vs. Gastelum," which took place inside Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

Bermudez was looking to bounce back from a main event knockout loss to “Korean Zombie,” while Elkins had last scored an amazing come-from-behind win to knockout uber-prospect Mirsad Bektic via third-round stoppage.

Bermudez threw a flying knee out of the gate, but Elkins countered with a hook. Elkins connected with a nice hook after a combination. Bermudez stepped into a low kick. He threw another, and Elkins tried to catch it. They were exchanging hard shots, both men landing. Bermudez landed another heavy low kick. He attempted a high kick, and slipped, Elkins diving on top. Elkins got his preferred rear waist cinch, dragging Bermudez to the mat twice. Bermudez eventually got loose, almost eating a head kick on the break. Bermudez threw another low kick. Elkins got another takedown, dragging Dennis to the mat from the rear waist cinch, and taking his back. Bermudez eventually just stood up, shucking Elkins of him. He dove into the clinch again, but Elkins reversed him, picked him up, and slammed him. Bermudez reversed him, landed a combination off the clinch break. Elkins threatened with a front choke as the round ended.

Bermudez opened with pressure, punching his way into the clinch and diving for a takedown, but was unable to finish it. Elkins landed a nice hook. Bermudez ducked a left hand and landed a knee. Elkins pushed his way into the clinch, but Bermudez reversed it. Bermudez landed a nice combination. He landed that Dutch-style leg kick and stuffed the attempted takedown. Suddenly Bermudez was in on his own takedown, putting Elkins on the mat for the first time. Elkins stayed against the cage, working his way up but not without eating punches along the way. Bermudez held Elkins against the cage. Elkins reversed, but Bermudez stuffed his takedown attempt. Bermudez drove in again, but Elkins threatened with his guillotine and put Bermudez on his knees to avoid the knees. Bermudez tried to break off but accidentally gave up his back; Elkins picked up Dennis and slammed him down. Bermudez got back up and pushed Elkins to the cage, but slipped and Elkins dove on his back to end the round.

Bermudez landed a jab. Elkins hit a body kick. Bermudez tried a flying knee and drove into the clinch briefly. Bermudez was clearly quicker, but was having trouble making that work for him consistently, as Elkins stayed right in the pocket, throwing with him. Bermudez landed a nice hook. Bermudez threw a combination, his hook shoveling Elkins off balance. He threw another flying knee and landed a cross. Elkins got him into the clinch, but Bermudez stuffed his takedown. Bermudez was pressuring, with Elkins looking to counter with hard shots. Bermudez hit a clean right hand. He threw another and dove into the clinch. Elkins reversed him for a moment, then they went back to the game of pressure and counter, Bermudez on the front foot. Bermudez got Elkins into the clinch on his own terms and landed a combination on the break. Elkins looked rocked, but never stopped throwing. Bermudez stayed aggressive, looking to make his boxing work. Elkins almost got a takedown at the last second but Bermudez stayed standing to end the fight. That was yet another well-matched contest for the judges to decide.

Bruce Buffer read the results, with Elkins getting the split decision nod. Elkins remains a resurgent, under-rated force at Featherweight, while Bermudez will regret his recklessness early on in the fight, as his adjustments over the course of the bout didn’t pan out quickly enough.

Official result: Darren Elkins def. Dennis Bermudez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

For complete UFC on FOX 25 results, including play-by-play update, click here