UFC Fight Night 124 results: Darren Elkins scores another come-from behind finish

The tenth-ranked UFC lightweight dropped a division to face the tenth-ranked featherweight as Michael Johnson made his 145-lb. debut against relentless grinder Darren Elkins. This match took place tonight (Sun., Jan. 14, 2018) at UFC Fight Night 124 from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri, live on FOX Sports 1.

They touched gloves. Elkins looked to clinch and Johnson sprawled so hard his hips hit the canvas. Elkins shot again, stuffed. Johnson knocked Elkins off balance, followed up, looking for straight punches as Elkins slipped and rolled against the cage. Johnson stabbed Elkins with a body jab and seemed to hurt him with an overhand. They traded, Johnson looking sharper and quicker. His left hand got through again, then a one-two. Elkins swung to try to cover a clinch entry but Johnson was extremely ready to sprawl. Elkins caught Johnson with a 2-3. They traded hook attempts in the pocket. Elkins landed a hard body kick off the arms of Johnson. Elkins whiffed on an overhand. Elkins waded forward and Johnson landed a couple hard shots backtracking. He landed another hard combination but Elkins came back with a superman punch that connected. Johnson slipped a front kick and landed two punches. Excellent first round for Michael Johnson.

Elkins finally got a takedown early in the second round. Johnson looked to use a deep half guard to keep his hips partly under him; Elkins rained down hammerfists and and punches with his free hand. Elkins flattened Johnson out in half guard, using head pressure, and looked to pass guard. Johnson tried to scramble out the back door and Elkins took his back in the scramble, looking for a rear-naked choke. He got it!! Darren Elkins once again survived an adverse opening to submit Michael Johnson with the first real opening he got. Incredible, six-fight win streak for Darren Elkins.

Darren Elkins said he takes punches that knock other people well, he takes them well, and then he breaks you. He shouts out Holdsworth jiu-jitsu (Team Alpha Male coach Chris Holdsworth) for the excellent rear-naked choke. He said he wants the number one contender, because it makes sense: the only person with a longer win streak at 145 is Max Holloway himself. I second the notion; Elkins’ come-from behind style is only matched by Brian Ortega at featherweight, so that’s the fight I never knew I wanted.

Official result: Darren Elkins def. Michael Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:22 of Round 2

For complete Fight Night 124 results, including play-by-play, click here