Michihiro Omigawa vs. Darren Elkins Planned for UFC 131 in Vancouver

by Scott Haber on Feb 21, 2011 4:11 PM EST in UFC News

Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

MMA Junkie with the report:

Darren Elkins (12-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is dropping a weight class and is expected to make his featherweight debut against Michihiro Omigawa (12-9-1 MMA, 0-3 UFC) at UFC 131.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the planned bout with sources close to the event, who said verbal agreements are in place but bout agreements not signed.

Michihiro Omigawa (12-9-1)
Loss Chad Mendes - unanimous decision - UFC 126
Win Cole Escovedo - submission (straight armbar) - Dream 16
Win Young Sam Jung - (guillotine choke) - Dream 15

Darren Elkins (12-2)
Loss Charles Oliveira - submission (triangle armbar) - UFC on Versus 2
Win Duane Ludwig - TKO (injury) - UFC on Versus 1
Win Gideon Ray - unanimous decision - Hoosier FC 1

Live on pay-per-view, June 11, 2011 from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.

UFC 131: Lesnar vs. Dos Santos coverage

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Comments

Interesting fight.

Omigawa was one of the first LWs to drop down and have great success at FW.

Will Elkins do the same? Or will Omigawa welcome him to the FW division with a loss.

by Steve4192 on Feb 21, 2011 4:16 PM EST reply actions

Hmm, interesting. Another good piece to the card. I’m inching closer to attending.

Still a Beer Monster.

http://www.instrength.com

by Tim Burke on Feb 21, 2011 4:29 PM EST reply actions

I was gonna comment on how I was hoping Omigawa pulls this one out

Then I noticed the avatar

BAD ASS

" he didn't want to fight the best of the best on the biggest stage, he knew better. He refused to take any chances; he milked it for all its worth and he got paid and then exposed and now it's over."

by II SMASH II on Feb 21, 2011 4:43 PM EST up reply actions

Anton found it. It rules.

Still a Beer Monster.

http://www.instrength.com

by Tim Burke on Feb 21, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

I’m glad to see that the UFC isn’t trying to see Omigawa out the door as quickly as possible. No offence to Elkins but he isn’t exactly a predator that Omigawa is being fed to.

by Shelter on Feb 21, 2011 4:31 PM EST reply actions

People said the same thing about Dustin Poirer when he was scheduled to fight Josh Grispi.

Don’t sleep on these LWs who are dropping down to FW. Elkins has had a far more successful career at LW than Omigawa did. Whose to say the drop in weight won’t have a massive positive impact on him just like it did for Omigawa.

by Steve4192 on Feb 21, 2011 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Lot of variables. Who knows how the cut will go for Elkins. Poirier also fought a Josh Grispi who hadn’t fought in a while, ring rust I think was a factor.

by IRodC on Feb 21, 2011 6:31 PM EST up reply actions

i kinda think this ones a squash match

but u never know, fights like this will help prove the fw division is legit

"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva

by milk72 on Feb 21, 2011 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Why would you think a guy who is 12-2 with wins over Bang Ludwig, Gideon Ray, and Pat Curran is a squash match? Elkins has had a far more successful career at LW than Omigawa managed.

by Steve4192 on Feb 21, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

Really? Gideon Ray is 18-12. Bang broke his ankle 45 seconds into the fight.

Still a Beer Monster.

http://www.instrength.com

by Tim Burke on Feb 21, 2011 5:44 PM EST up reply actions

Gideon is a good, solid pro who used to be a decent sized MW. He’s not an elite fighter, but he is a very competent fighter, and that kind of win is important when evaluating a prospect early in his career.

by Steve4192 on Feb 21, 2011 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, Gideon’s a great example of a guy who didn’t achieve success when he…dropped a weight class (or 2).

Still a Beer Monster.

http://www.instrength.com

by Tim Burke on Feb 21, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

not a bad fight UFC 131 is shaping up nicely

Twitter @MaZZM
http://mazznettt.blogspot.com/

by MaZZacare on Feb 21, 2011 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Super happy to see Omigawa get another shot. I didn’t think he looked terrible against Mendes.

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. - Bruce Lee

by MSEMCEE on Feb 21, 2011 4:47 PM EST reply actions

I agree. Lost in the “OMG Japanese fighters suck!” Meme’ was the fact Omigawa looked pretty good against the most stifling wrestling in the division. He stuffed some takedowns and threatened with a submission; I’m hopeful about his chances here. Elkins has never impressed me at all, but a drop to 145 could do him good.

by Tag01 on Feb 21, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Omigawa SHOULD win this.

by KOQ24 on Feb 21, 2011 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

Good fight for both. Omigawa, despite losing to Mendes, looked very good against Mendes and in my opinion gave him the toughest fight of his career so far. I have to go with Omigawa to win this one as I feel that he has the better standup, may be able to take the fight to the ground, and is good off his back.

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by chrisbboy82 on Feb 21, 2011 6:08 PM EST reply actions