MMA Preview – Darren Elkins vs Tristan Connelly at UFC on ESPN 35
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DARREN ELKINS VS TRISTAN CONNELLY FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 35? Saturday 30th April, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 35? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 35? Click here for the tickets at the O2 Arena
What channel is UFC on ESPN 35 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 35? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
DARREN ELKINS VS TRISTAN CONNELLY LOWDOWN
The old war horse Darren Elkins (26-10) makes the UFC walk for the 26th time. He is coming off a beatdown which is not uncommon for the veteran, but this time he lost and got put away by Cub Swanson (2021) who capped the finish off with a spinning wheel kick. That punishing loss broke the momentum of two wins on the bounce over Luiz Eduardo Garagorri (2020 – submission) and Darrick Minner (2021 – TKO) and now stands at 16-9 in the UFC.
Tristan Connelly (14-7) stepped in on short notice and up two weight classes to take on Michel Pereira (2019) for his debut and then Pat Sabatini (2021) for his second bout. Incredibly tough start, but he pulled off one of the most memorable debuts in UFC history humbling the Brazilian. He weathered the storm, waited for Pereira to gas out and proceed to grind out a unanimous decision. He did not have the same luck in his weight class however getting outpointed by Sabatini who is going to be a real threat in the featherweight division.
DARREN ELKINS VS TRISTAN CONNELLY PREDICTION
This is destined to be a gritty war. There is a lot of damage on Elkins’ clock now which is a worry especially as Connelly will keep pressing forward trying to find a home of his hands.
They are both grinders, but Elkins is far more seasoned, and his experience will be crucial. Sabatini took Connelly down with relative ease and we expect Elkins to land a few takedowns. In between landing them he will get hit so it is a case of how much he can absorb before subduing Connelly against the fence and mat.
We feel Elkins still has enough juice left in the tank to grind out a decision another decision with his wrestling, but this will be a close battle.
Prediction: Elkins via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
