LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 19: Darren Elkins punches Daniel Pineda in a featherweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on October 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Featherweight veteran Darren Elkins looks to do some damage to Daniel Pineda in the first fight of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 99 main card.
Elkins entered the fight coming off a win over TJ Brown, while Pineda was looking to erase a two-fight skid at UFC Apex on Saturday.
The match started with Elkins landing a huge overhand ball. Pineda landed a spinning back kick that momentarily stopped Elkins.
Elkins threw another big overhand, this time landing. At that same moment, Darren went for a takedown and Pineda went for a guillotine in return. The guillotine sank very tightly as both fighters were still dry. However, Elkins was able to reverse and scramble out. When Pineda returned to full guard, a large wound was revealed as a result of the first overhand. Pineda went for another guillotine from deep, but couldn’t get the finish, but this time he was at least able to move into a superior position.
At this point in the match, Pineda was bleeding Elkins, who stood over his opponent and tried to land ground and pound. Elkins was able to briefly regain the advantage before losing it again. In the final seconds of the round, Pineda landed a nasty elbow on Darren from a full mount position. Both men were beaten, and by the end of the round they were both breathing heavily and covered in blood.
The second round began with Elkins immediately unleashing stinging punch combinations. Pineda countered with a leg kick and Darren crashed to the canvas. Elkins quickly stood up and the two resumed their batting. Elkins was circling on the outside with a jab. Daniel was a little more reserved with his striking, trying to land reckless backfists before getting taken down by his opponent. Daniel went to the well again looking for the guillotine, but ended up lying on his back and absorbing the attack. Pineda was able to get back to base and recover midway through the round.
Despite having limited vision (due to bleeding), Daniel continued to avoid many of the punches coming his way. A few seconds later, Pineda successfully defended a takedown. Pineda guillotines as Elkins attempts another takedown. He had to defend another submission attempt with his arm as Elkins popped his head out. Darren finished the round with some effective ground and pound, but Daniel was very slow to get to his feet.
To begin the final round, the doctor looked at Daniel’s eyes and the wound and told him he was okay. A few seconds into the round, Pineda was able to defend a deep takedown attempt, but was hit with a big 1-2 combination in space. When Elkins went for another takedown, Pineda was able to defend and reverse the takedown. Darren kept moving, kept wrestling, and was able to overwhelm his opponent and get back to his feet. After a while, Darren took yet another shot. Elkins broke away seconds later, and the two men began exchanging blows.
Pineda landed another leg kick that paralyzed Elkins, but somehow Elkins continued to attack. Elkins was able to get some really great moments, landing highlight-reel boxing combinations on a partially blinded opponent. The frustration was visible on Daniel’s face, and after a long reset, Pineda landed another leg kick that dropped Elkins. Darren fought back with a final takedown, trapping his opponent in the cage and landing short strikes. The exhausting and crazy paced fight ends there as Pineda can’t find a way to get back up.
After a momentary classic, Daniel Pineda removed his glove, placed it in the center of the octagon, and signaled his retirement. In typical Elkins fashion, Elkins declared that as long as he’s in the Octagon, the 40-year-old, the longest-tenured UFC featherweight, will continue to show off his inner dog.
Official result: Darren Elkins def. Daniel Pineda unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
