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Earns win in Denver opener
Elder defeated Darrius Flowers via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:46 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Denver.
ANALYSIS
Facing an opponent with zero cardio and no means of damaging him offensively, Elder kept things simple and didn't take many chances. He didn't need to. He did give up a shockingly easy takedown to Flowers early in Round 2, but Elder easily worked his way back to his feet and submitted Flowers shortly thereafter. The quality of opponent Elder was facing must be taken into consideration here, but all you can do it fight who they put in front of you. The 27-year-old California native has won back-to-back fights after dropping his first two UFC bouts.
Facing an opponent with zero cardio and no means of damaging him offensively, Elder kept things simple and didn't take many chances. He didn't need to. He did give up a shockingly easy takedown to Flowers early in Round 2, but Elder easily worked his way back to his feet and submitted Flowers shortly thereafter. The quality of opponent Elder was facing must be taken into consideration here, but all you can do it fight who they put in front of you. The 27-year-old California native has won back-to-back fights after dropping his first two UFC bouts.
Next fight scheduled
Elder is scheduled to compete against Darrius Flowers in a lightweight fight at UFC Denver on Saturday, per Aaron Bronsteter of Sportsnet.
ANALYSIS
It has been almost a year since Elder has fought, which turned out to be a decisive decision win over Genaro Valdez. But in just under half a week's notice, Elder will take a fight with Flowers, who is searching for his first UFC win after consecutive losses.
It has been almost a year since Elder has fought, which turned out to be a decisive decision win over Genaro Valdez. But in just under half a week's notice, Elder will take a fight with Flowers, who is searching for his first UFC win after consecutive losses.
Nabs first UFC victory
Elder defeated Genaro Valdez via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC on ESPN 49 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a major response from Elder on the heels of a tough-luck loss to Nazim Sadykhov this past February. In what was essentially a 15-minute stand-up brawl, Elder was the much more composed fighter. He picked his spots and landed with authority the entire bout. Elder was knocked down by Valdez in Round 2, but bounced right back up and finished the frame with a 37-22 edge in total strikes landed. This fight wasn't anywhere near as lopsided as the laughable 30-26 mark one judge handed out, but it was a clear-cut victory for the 26-year-old California native, his first in three tries with the UFC.
It was a major response from Elder on the heels of a tough-luck loss to Nazim Sadykhov this past February. In what was essentially a 15-minute stand-up brawl, Elder was the much more composed fighter. He picked his spots and landed with authority the entire bout. Elder was knocked down by Valdez in Round 2, but bounced right back up and finished the frame with a 37-22 edge in total strikes landed. This fight wasn't anywhere near as lopsided as the laughable 30-26 mark one judge handed out, but it was a clear-cut victory for the 26-year-old California native, his first in three tries with the UFC.
Slated to fight Valdez
Elder will take on Genaro Valdez in a lightweight contest at a UFC event on July 15 in Las Vegas, Carlos Contreras Legaspi of ESPN reports Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Elder, like his opponent Valdez, will be looking for his first UFC victory. He has youth on Valdez, although both have only fought in two UFC contests. Both fighters will be looking to right the ship and prove they belong in the UFC come mid July.
Elder, like his opponent Valdez, will be looking for his first UFC victory. He has youth on Valdez, although both have only fought in two UFC contests. Both fighters will be looking to right the ship and prove they belong in the UFC come mid July.
Tough break in TKO loss
Elder lost to Nazim Sadykhov via TKO (doctor's stoppage) at 0:38 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
You can't help but feel for Elder here. After not being the least bit competitive in a unanimous decision loss to Preston Parsons in his UFC debut last April, he looked strong in this one and was up two rounds on all three judges scorecards despite entering as a healthy +180 underdog. Evan appeared to be tiring as the first progressed, but he had an unquestioned edge in the power department and was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight following a first-round knockdown of Sadykhov. Ultimately, referee Mark Smith called the doctor in early in Round 3 to take a look at a massive gash about Elder's eye, and the fight was immediately called off. It's rare to see a fighter's stock rise in a defeat, but that was the case for Elder here. He still needs to find a way to secure his first UFC victory his next time out, however. One the bright side, he'll take home an extra $50,000 after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
You can't help but feel for Elder here. After not being the least bit competitive in a unanimous decision loss to Preston Parsons in his UFC debut last April, he looked strong in this one and was up two rounds on all three judges scorecards despite entering as a healthy +180 underdog. Evan appeared to be tiring as the first progressed, but he had an unquestioned edge in the power department and was responsible for the biggest moment of the fight following a first-round knockdown of Sadykhov. Ultimately, referee Mark Smith called the doctor in early in Round 3 to take a look at a massive gash about Elder's eye, and the fight was immediately called off. It's rare to see a fighter's stock rise in a defeat, but that was the case for Elder here. He still needs to find a way to secure his first UFC victory his next time out, however. One the bright side, he'll take home an extra $50,000 after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.