Darren Elkins Talks Digging Deep, Breaking Mirsad Bektic

Darren Elkins Talks Digging Deep, Breaking Mirsad Bektic

UFC veteran Darren Elkins recalls his amazing comeback against Mirsad Bektic at UFC 209.

Mar 27, 2017 by Tony Reid
Darren Elkins Talks Digging Deep, Breaking Mirsad Bektic
UFC featherweight Darren Elkins is one of the toughest human beings on the planet.

He left everyone in the MMA community in awe after scoring one of the most improbable comebacks in UFC history at UFC 209 when he mounted a furious third round TKO stoppage of Mirsad Bektic after being thoroughly dominated for the first two rounds of the contest.  


On mounting one of the most impressive comebacks in UFC history at UFC 209


"That fight really tested my will. I know the third round is always my round. I was definitely taking a beating in the first round. The second round wasn't quite as bad but I still lost it. I had to dig deep. I overcame all obstacles. I was proud of myself."

The moment he felt the fight was closest to being stopped as he was taking never-ending damage


"I didn't let myself go to that place. The only concern I had was going back to my corner and seeing how bad the cut was. I am laying on the canvas and he is elbowing me in half guard. I had blood all over my face. I could see it all over the mat. I wasn't sure how bad the cut was. Going back to the corner I knew they were going to bring the doctor in to check it and tell me if I could continue. I was hoping for the best."

The moment in the fight where he felt Bektic fade


"I felt that early in the third round. I stopped a couple of those takedowns early. I threw that body kick and I felt like it might have grazed the cup. The top part of the cup. It wasn't even close to his balls. He took like two minutes and all he had to do was adjust his cup. What was hurting him? I knew he was kind of looking for a way out then. He was taking a break. He was gassed. He was taking a break because he was tired and not because he was hurt.

"It was a moment of weakness on his part."