Jonathan Pearce def. Darren Elkins at UFC on ESPN 42: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Jonathan Pearce’s unanimous decision win over Darren Elkins at UFC on ESPN 42.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Jonathan Pearce[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 42 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. (Photos by Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)

UFC on ESPN 42 pre-event facts: Darren Elkins reaches historic milestone

The best facts and figures for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42, where several familiar veterans have a shot at history.

The UFC returns to Florida on Saturday for UFC on ESPN 42, which takes place at Amway Center in Orlando with a card that airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

A welterweight headliner will close out the card as longtime contender [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag] (16-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) will search for his first win in two years when he takes on [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC on ESPN 42.

UFC’s Jonathan Pearce aims to make name for himself vs. Darren Elkins: ‘I belong in the top of the division’

Jonathan Pearce hopes a win over Darren Elkins skyrockets his UFC career. 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – [autotag]Jonathan Pearce[/autotag] hopes a win over [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] is what skyrockets his UFC career.

Since returning to 145 pounds, Pearce (11-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has racked up four straight wins, including a TKO finish of Makwan Amirkhani in July.

In Elkins (27-10 MMA, 17-9 UFC), Pearce faces a staple of the featherweight division, and he’s looking to take him out when they square off at UFC on ESPN 42 on Dec. 3 in Orlando, Fla.

“I’m happy with the matchup,” Pearce told MMA Junkie. “After I win this one, that’ll be five straight, and I’m looking to take on as many names as I can and build my resume.”

He continued, “I believe I belong in the top of the division, top 15, top 10. So whoever’s injured, you better get ready, because ‘JSP’ is coming.”

Pearce was able to overwhelm Amirkhani en route to a second-round finish at UFC Fight Night 208 in London. But Pearce knows when fighting Elkins, he’s facing an experienced fighter who has no quit in him.

“I feel honored to be able to fight a veteran of the sport and also make a name for myself and thankful that he took the fight,” Pearce said.

He continued, “Elkins has a little bit more heart than the last guy, so his cardio is gonna be a little bit better. He’ll stay in the fight a little bit longer, and my goal is not to make this a 15-minute fight, finish this fight.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

UFC on ESPN 35: Quick picks and prognostications

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the main card of UFC on ESPN 35.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main card for UFC on ESPN 35.

UFC on ESPN 35 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN2/ESPN+.

Last event’s results: 3-1

Overall picks for UFC main cards in 2022: 38-14

Welcome to MMAJunkie’s Quick Picks and Prognostications, where I’ll be giving brief, fight-day breakdowns for UFC main cards.

With that in mind, I hope these write-ups don’t come off as curt or dismissive, as my goal here is to offer quick picks and analysis in a digestible format. All odds listed are provided by Tipico Sportsbook.

If you’d like more detailed analysis from me, then feel free to check out my weekly show, The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.

So, without further ado…

Darren Elkins vs. Tristan Connelly added to UFC Fight Night on April 30

Gritty grapplers Darren Elkins and Tristan Connelly will battle in April.

Gritty grapplers [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Tristan Connelly[/autotag] will battle in April.

Elkins (26-10 MMA, 16-9 UFC) meets Connelly (14-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on April 30, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

Two people with knowledge of the booking recently confirmed the matchup to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Global News was first to report the news, and Elkins subsequently announced it on social media.

Winner of two of his past three, Elkins is coming off a first-round TKO loss to Cub Swanson in December. Prior to that, the 37-year-old Team Alpha Male fighter scored back-to-back finishes of Eduardo Garagorri and Darrick Minner.

Canada’s Connelly has split his first two UFC appearances. After scoring an upset win over Michel Pereira in his promotional debut in September 2019, Connelly returned from a two-year layoff due to injury, losing to Pat Sabatini in his featherweight debut at UFC 261 this past April.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for April 30 includes:

  • Cortney Casey vs. Antonina Shevchenko
  • Gina Mazany vs. Shanna Young
  • Francisco Figueiredo vs. Daniel da Silva
  • Mike Breeden vs. Natan Levy
  • Gabe Green vs. Yohan Lainesse
  • Jessica Penne vs. Luana Pinheiro
  • Rafael Alves vs. Jared Gordon
  • Carlos Candelario vs. Tatsuro Taira
  • Tristan Connelly vs. Darren Elkins

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UFC Fight Night 199 predictions: Who’s picking Chris Daukaus to keep rolling over Derrick Lewis?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 199 card, featuring Derrick Lewis vs. Chris Daukaus.

Lewis
vs.
Daukaus
Muhammad
vs.
Thompson
Hill
vs.
Lemos
Assuncao
vs.
Simon
Ferreira
vs.
Gamrot
Elkins
vs.
Swanson
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 204-120
lewis2021
Lewis
(60%)
thompson2021
Thompson
(77%)
lemos2021
Lemos
(65%)
simon2021
Simon
(61%)
gamrot2021
Gamrot
(68%)
swanson2021
Swanson
(62%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 208-116
daukaus2021
Daukaus
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
gamrot2021
Gamrot
swanson2021
Swanson
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 206-118
lewis2021
Lewis
muhammad2021
Muhammad
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
ferreira2021
Ferreira
swanson2021
Swanson
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 200-124
trophy copy 2014 Champion
lewis2021
Lewis
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
gamrot2021
Gamrot
swanson2021
Swanson
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 199-125
lewis2021
Lewis
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
ferreira2021
Ferreira
elkins2021
Elkins
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 198-126
lewis2021
Lewis
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
assuncao2021
Assuncao
gamrot2021
Gamrot
elkins2021
Elkins
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 197-127
trophy copy 2020 Champion
daukaus2021
Daukaus
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
gamrot2021
Gamrot
elkins2021
Elkins
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
2021: 126-82 (60.57)
lewis2021
Lewis
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
ferreira2021
Ferreira
swanson2021
Swanson
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 192-132
lewis2021
Lewis
muhammad2021
Muhammad

Hill
assuncao2021
Assuncao
ferreira2021
Ferreira
elkins2021
Elkins
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 190-134
trophy copy 2018 Champion
lewis2021
Lewis
muhammad2021
Muhammad
lemos2021
Lemos
assuncao2021
Assuncao
gamrot2021
Gamrot
swanson2021
Swanson
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 188-136
lewis2021
Lewis
muhammad2021
Muhammad
lemos2021
Lemos
assuncao2021
Assuncao
gamrot2021
Gamrot
elkins2021
Elkins
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 186-138
trophy copy 2017 Champion
lewis2021
Lewis
muhammad2021
Muhammad
lemos2021
Lemos
assuncao2021
Assuncao
gamrot2021
Gamrot
elkins2021
Elkins
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 186-138
lewis2021
Lewis
muhammad2021
Muhammad
lemos2021
Lemos
simon2021
Simon
ferreira2021
Ferreira
swanson2021
Swanson
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 184-140
lewis2021
Lewis
thompson2021
Thompson
lemos2021
Lemos
assuncao2021
Assuncao
gamrot2021
Gamrot
elkins2021
Elkins

The final UFC event of the year takes place Saturday in Las Vegas with heavyweights at the top of the bill.

UFC Fight Night 199 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former title challenger [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC). Daukaus is a slight -140 favorite at Tipico. But our 13 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are taking slight underdog Lewis in a big way at 11-2 margin.

In the co-feature, two-time welterweight title challenger [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag] (16-5-1 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] (19-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC). Thompson is more than a 2-1 favorite, but he’s only got a 7-6 edge in the picks.

[autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] (10-1-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is the biggest favorite on the main card at more than 3-1 in her women’s strawweight fight against [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] (13-10 MMA, 8-10 UFC). Only one of our pickers is taking Hill in an upset.

[autotag]Raphael Assuncao[/autotag] (27-8 MMA, 11-5 UFC) meets [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag] (18-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in a key bantamweight bout. Simon is nearly a 3-1 favorite, but the picks are tight and he has just a 7-6 lead from our staff members.

[autotag]Mateusz Gamrot[/autotag] (19-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is a 2-1 favorite at lightweight against [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC). Gamrot has a slight edge in the picks at 8-5.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] (26-9 MMA, 16-8 UFC) and [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] (27-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC) throw down in a featherweight fight that seems like it should have happened years ago. Swanson nearly is a 2-1 favorite, but our pickers have Elkins with the smallest possible edge at 7-6.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Lewis (60 percent), Thompson (77 percent), Lemos (65 percent), Simon (61 percent), Gamrot (68 percent) and Swanson (62 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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[listicle id=1909179]

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UFC Fight Night 199 pre-event facts: Derrick Lewis goes for all-time knockout record

The best facts and figures about UFC Fight Night 199 where Derrick Lewis will attempt to set the UFC’s all-time knockout record.

The UFC closes out its 2021 schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 199, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

A clash of heavyweight contenders takes the main event spotlight, with [autotag]Derrick Lewis[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) set to attempt another climb to a title shot when he meets [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who is undefeated in the octagon thus far.

For more on the numbers behind the main event and rest of the lineup, check below for 60 pre-event facts about UFC Fight Night 199.

Darren Elkins vs. Cub Swanson booked for Dec. 18 UFC Fight Night

A featherweight contest between veterans Darren Elkins and Cub Swanson is set for Dec. 18.

A matchup pitting two of the most seasoned fighters at 145 pounds is coming this winter.

The UFC has booked a featherweight contest between [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] for a UFC Fight Night event set for Dec. 18. The location and venue for the card have yet to be announced.

The organization added the matchup on Thursday evening.

[lawrence-related id=1183059,1181457]

Elkins (25-9 MMA, 15-8 UFC) last fought in July where he picked up a second-round TKO win over Darrick Minner. The win over Minner put him on a two-fight winning streak, which snapped a four-fight skid that extended two years. Elkins has been competing in the UFC for over a decade, as he debuted back in March 2010.

On the other hand, Swanson is looking to get back to his winning ways after suffering a first-round TKO to Giga Chikadze back in May. The 37-year-old had two impressive showings prior to the defeat, having bested Daniel Pineda and Kron Gracie. Swanson has also been fighting under the UFC lights for over a decade, having joined the company in 2011.

The only other fight confirmed for this date at the moment is Derrick Lewis vs. Chris Daukaus.

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UFC on ESPN 27 post-event facts: T.J. Dillashaw makes history in octagon return

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 27, which saw T.J. Dillashaw return to the octagon in historic fashion.

The UFC’s busy July continued Saturday with UFC on ESPN 27, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The highly anticipated main event of the card saw former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) make his long-awaited return to the octagon with a split decision win over [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC).

Dillashaw’s victory was one of several debatable decisions on the card that had multiple notable feats. For more on the numbers, check below for 45 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN 27.

UFC on ESPN 27 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Darren Elkins gets biggest bag

UFC on ESPN 27 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 27 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $135,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 27 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 27 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Williams[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Julio Arce[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Elise Reed[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Diana Belbita[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Hannah Goldy[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,593,500
Program-to-date total: $2,593,500