UFC Dublin: Robert Whiteford v Darren Elkins

Boos and silence for Elkins. Rob effectively fighting on home territory. Rob also appears to be far stronger physically.

Round 1 – Elkins pops jabs early. Nothing landing just range finders. Wild hooks miss from Elkins. Rob tags him. Elkins tags rob with a left hook. Big right lands from Rob. Elkins shoots and gets the takedown – beautifully timed and executed. Rob is up! Both swinging. Elkins missing wild hooks. Elkins catches Rob with a huge left and lands another takedown. Elkins holding top well. Elkins sitting in Rob’s butterfly guard. They’re up! Rob pins Elkins to cage. Elkins lands a nice knee. Elkins reverses position. Rob catches him on the break with an uppercut. Back to the centre. Round ends with both missing strikes.

10-9 Elkins – slight edge to Rob on the feet. Big edge to Elkins on the ground in that round. Close.

Round 2 – Elkins popping jabs early. Misses a wild hook. Leg kick from Rob lands. Beautiful single leg from Elkins. Elkins again in Rob’s bitterly guard against the cage. Elkins has one hook for the back! Rob does well to reclaim half guard. Rob up briefly but down again. Back to the butterfly guard battle. Elkins using head position brilliantly to stay on top in half. Elkins chasing the back. Huge knees from Elkins against the cage. They’re up! Rob has Elkins pinned. Knees from Rob. Rob lands a big uppercut as they separate but Elkins is relentlessly back on that single leg. Really tough customer is Elkins. Another takedown for Elkins. Elkins using a front headlock against cage on a seated Rob to end the round.

10-9 Elkins – tough round for Rob. He needs a finish but we know he has the power to get one.

Round 3 – crazy how fast a minute goes by. Rob lands a nice straight. Rob stuffs a takedown. Better start. Rob controlling centre. Left right lands big for Rob. Elkins with a flurry and another takedown. Butterfly guard again. Rob is up! Crowd eggs him on. Nice counter right from Elkins. Head kick misses for Elkins. Big left, head kick and right combo from Elkins has Rob hurt. Elkins back on top on the deck. Elkins gets one hook as Rob tries to scramble up. Two hooks and full back control for Elkins. Elkins staying busy with shots. The bell saves Rob from a TIGHT RNC

10-9 Elkins

I score it 30-27 for Elkins.

Tough fight for Rob but lots of encouraging signs. Went the distance with a world ranked fighter, consistently got up from the takedowns and always looked dangerous on the feet.

The three judges agree with me.

Darren Elkins def. Robert Whiteford by unanimous decision