With UFC 209 behind us, there were many noteworthy performances which saw fighters’ stock rise. Jay Primetown takes a look at the key performers and what’s next for them. Darren Elkins Overview: Elkins has made a career of out-working opponents in the latter portions of his fights to win. His victory over Mirsad Bektic was the definition of an Elkins victory, and his biggest to date. Down 20-17 on all three scorecards entering round three, Elkins needed a finish. Elkins’ work rate was too much for Bektic to handle, as he was able to stuff Bektic’s tired takedown attempts and counter with some strikes that put his opponent out halfway through round three. It was one of the most stunning come-from-behind victories in UFC history. A victory over a fighter that many considered a Top 5 prospect in all of MMA, and a sure-fire future featherweight title contender. What’s Next: Having gotten a win over a Top 15 featherweight, Elkins has earned the right for an even better opponent. He’s faced decent strikers, but I’d like to see Elkins tested against a good submission fighter. Brian Ortega fits that description. Ortega is currently 10th in the featherweight rankings and would provide a stern test to Elkins who if he wants to grapple will need to show an ability to defend Ortega’s excellent submission skill set. Dan Kelly Overview: Amassing a 5-1 record in the UFC, Kelly was put into the biggest spotlight of his MMA career tasked with fighting former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans on Pay-Per-View. The 39-year-old Kelly has stunned fans by continuing to win fights he’s seen as being a significant underdog in. In Kelly’s bout with Evans, he shocked everyone, out-striking the future UFC Hall of Famer en route to a split-decision victory. It’s the fourth win in a row in the UFC for the Australian, who will be turning 40 later this year. What’s Next: Kelly has stated he needs to get his knee fixed, so I expect him to be out of action for most of the year. When he returns, I could see him paired against Tim Boetsch. A battle of two aging, grizzled veterans, and an opportunity for Kelly to get a win over a Top 15 middleweight. David Teymur Overview: A gifted striker, Teymur had gone under the radar thus far in the UFC. He had fought on two undercards in the UFC, winning both fights by knockout. His fight was catapulted up the UFC 209 fight card after the previous co-main event was scrapped. In a now high-profile bout, Teymur showed off his striking prowess in outclassing highly-touted Lando Vannata to win a clear decision. He did very well to time Vannata, but where he did his best work was in the clinch, landing knees time and time again. What’s Next: Teymur still needs to show that he’s capable of competing in a fight where he will need to use all facets of MMA. I think he needs to be eased into that a bit. A great matchup that would see diverse striking skill sets is a fight against Paul Felder. The Pennsylvania-based fighter is a big lightweight who is pretty physical in his own right. That would be a different kind of striking exchange than he had with the flashy Vannata.
