UFC Fight Night 27 Play-by-Play: Darren Elkins vs. Hatsu Hioki

UFC Fight Night 27 Live Results Home Page

Darren Elkins vs. Hatsu Hioki

Round 1: Hioki has a big reach advantage and is switching stances a lot early, but Elkins is doing a good job moving through his punches and landing on Hioki. Hioki counters and lands a hard shot to Elkins’ body, taking some of the wind out of his sails. Hioki now pressing Elkins a little more. Elkins shoots, but Hioki stuffs it, and then lands some more blows. Elkins fires back, but Hioki hits the body again, visibly hurting Elkins. Hioki keeps the pressure on, lands a few more shots and then takes Elkins to the mat in a front headlock position. They scramble and Elkins escapes back to the feet briefly before taking Hioki down. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hioki

Round 2: Elkins comes out firing and lands a solid three-punch combination. Hioki tries to fire back, but Elkins lands a few more shots before Hioki shoots and takes the fight to the mat again. Elkins quickly brings it back to standing and lands a left hand and right kick to the body. Elkins drives forward with punches, but eats a couple counter punches from Hioki before landing some dirty boxing. Hioki starts stalking, but Elkins shoots the double-leg and takes Hioki down, landing in his guard. Elkins presses Hioki to the cage and starts grounding and pounding him. Hioki returns to his feet, Elkins punching and kneeing him the entire time, and then pressing him to the fence. Hioki goes after a Kimura and drops it down to the mat, and then transitions to Elkins’ back. Elkins scrambles and escapes into Hioki’s guard, where they end the round. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Elkins

Round 3: Elkins again starts things off with some solid boxing, landing several combinations. Elkins has done a good job neutralizing Hioki’s reach advantage. They again hit the mat, Elkins chipping away at Hioki from inside the Japanese fighter’s full guard, grounding and pounding him. Hioki trying to trap Elkins’ arm and work for a triangle, but Elkins keeps pressing, keeps punching, posturing up out of the triangle attempt. Elkins scoots Hioki to the fence and has him pinned there as he continues his ground and pound attack until the end of the fight. MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Elkins

Darren Elkins def. Hatsu Hioki by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), R3

UFC Fight Night 27 Live Results Home Page