Preview: UFC Fight Night 182 Prelims

Featherweights

Darren Elkins (24-9) vs. Luiz Eduardo Garagorri (13-1)

ODDS: Elkins (-230), Garagorri (+190)

Is this the end for Elkins? His rise through the featherweight ranks was a pleasant surprise. Not much was expected of the veteran grinder, but he seemingly put together a six-fight winning streak through sheer force of will, highlighted by an all-time great comeback against Mirsad Bektic in 2017. However, “The Damage” finally had his momentum halted by future champion Alexander Volkanovski in 2018, and Elkins surprisingly has not been able to find a win since. Given Elkins’ fighting style—that “Damage” nickname was born out of his ability to eat and fight through punishment, not inflict it upon his opponents—everyone has been preparing themselves for when his body betrays him and he falls off of a proverbial cliff. Elkins is not at that point yet, as his chin remains as strong as ever, but he has lost that 20 percent or so of athletic effectiveness that has allowed him to turn around momentum and net victories. Now it becomes a matter of inching Elkins down the ladder to the point where he can get a win, and Garagorri is the next step down. Garagorri was the UFC’s token local signing when the company stopped in Uruguay in 2019, and he has done well for himself given those standards; he looked solid against Humberto Bandenay in his UFC debut. However, that fight and his most recent appearance, a one-sided loss to Ricardo Ramos, exposed a lack of wrestling defense that Elkins should be able to exploit. Garagorri is a fine enough kickboxer, but a loss here for Elkins would be damning. The pick is Elkins via decision.

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