Elkins 2-0 at 145

[maligned]

Darren Elkins moved to 2-0 at 145 in the UFC with a dominating win.  Here's the play-by-play text from Sherdog.com:

 

Tiequan Zhang vs. Darren Elkins

 

Round 1

The featherweights get to trading right away and it?s Zhang beating Elkins to the punch with fast hands. The wrestler Elkins shoots in and Zhang snares a guillotine choke under his left arm. Elkins looks to be in serious trouble for a moment, but he gets out of the position, extracts his head and moves to Zhang?s guard. There are heavy shots coming from Elkins on top as Zhang tries to push the American away with his feet. Elkins passes to half-guard on Zhang?s right side, where he drops punches and short elbows while Zhang tries to tie up. Elkins has a neck crank momentarily on top, then releases it and goes back to pounding with about two minutes to go. Elkins pops his right leg out and moves to full mount. Zhang gives up his back and Elkins sinks in both hooks, rolling with Zhang and hunting for a rear-naked choke. Zhang avoids the choke, eats a few more punches and peels his way out of another RNC attempt. Elkins has a body-triangle applied and he punches away from Zhang?s back to the horn.

 

Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Elkins

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Elkins

Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Elkins

 

Round 2

Zhang sprawls on a takedown from Elkins and grabs for another guillotine. In a repeat of the first round, Elkins gets loose from the choke and rolls Zhang over to wind up on top. Elkins is quickly on Zhang?s back again with both hooks in. Zhang covers up, rolled onto his right side, avoiding Elkins? punches. Zhang twists and puts his back on the canvas with Elkins in half-guard. Elkins advances to side control, but Zhang sees the opening to escape to his feet. Elkins shoots again and Zhang tries another guillotine. The sequence repeats and it?s Elkins on top with two minutes to go. Zhang uses his hips to sweep, only to be swept back under by Elkins. From half-guard, Elkins drops punches to the body and shoulders Zhang?s head into the mat. Referee Dan Miragliotta asks the fighters for action as the second frame winds down.

 

Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Elkins

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Elkins

Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Elkins

 

Round 3

Once again, Elkins shoots and Zhang grabs a guillotine. It looks bad for Elkins this time, his face turning purple as the Chinese fighter wrenches away. Again, Elkins twists his way loose, extracting his head and sweeping to top position. It?s the same progression as before: half-guard, side control, full mount. Zhang turtles up as Elkins drops right hands on him, then takes the back. Elkins has another body triangle with 90 seconds left on the clock. Elkins socks away with tired right hands; Zhang can only try to control his opponent?s hands as time runs out.

 

Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Elkins (30-27 Elkins)

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Elkins (30-27 Elkins)

Freddie DeFreitas scores the round 10-9 Elkins (30-27 Elkins)

 

Official result: The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26, all in favor of the winner by unanimous decision, Darren Elkins. Judges? names are not announced.