Darren Elkins Discusses His UFC 209 Bout With Mirsad Bektic, His Move to Train at Team Alpha Male

MMAjunkie Radio recently interviewed UFC featherweight fighter Darren Elkins ahead of his upcoming bout at UFC 209 with Mirsad Bektic. The fight is set for later today in Las Vegas, Nevada.

His thoughts on being the underdog: “I am aware of the odds. You know me; I don’t give a (expletive) about the odds. Never have. I think I have seven wins when the odds were against me, so that’s a good sign. I know Bektic is undefeated. He’s a tough opponent. I’m not going to give him more respect than he deserves. I’m a great fighter too, and he hasn’t fought anybody on my level, so he’s going to find out on Saturday.”

Elkins on how he matches up against Bektic: “Obviously, all my losses are to the top guys. I fought Mendes, (Charles) Oliveira, Jeremy Stephens. It’s hard to say he’s better than those guys. Is he up there? Yes, he’s definitely up there. But he might be top five. I’m thinking top five, maybe top six.”

On going to Team Alpha Male: “I needed a change, and Alpha Male was the answer. And I felt great there, man. I felt like I was at the end of my career at one point at the other camp, and then I switched camps over, and now I feel refreshed again. I feel young, man. I feel great. I’m learning new techniques and just getting better day by day.”