UFC color commentator Brian Stann repeated a phrase several times during Darren Elkins‘ win over Lucas Martins which pretty much summed up their UFC featherweight fight: “It’s not the prettiest game plan, but it’s effective.”
That pretty much summed things up. Elkins, in need of a win after dropping two of his past three bouts, controlled Martins for most of the bout and earned a split-decision victory at UFC 179. Elkins got two 30-27 scores from the judges, while the third was a bizarre 30-27 in Martins’ favor.
Martins spent most of the fight using his wrestling to control Martins against the fence and keep him there, to the dismay of the Rio de Janeiro crowd. Martins eventually managed to figure out his range as the fight went on; he scored a nice head kick late in a second round many on Twitter seemed to feel he won; and he landed several solid knees in the third.
But Elkins managed to keep his wits, control the tempo, and take the decision.
Elkins improved to 18-2 and won for the second time in his past three; the Brazilian Martins dropped to 15-2 and had a three-fight win streak snapped.
More Coverage: UFC 179 Results | UFC news
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