UFC Fight Night 245: Darren Elkins vs. Daniel Pineda Prediction for Tomorrow, 10/19/24

The first fight on the Main Card at UFC Fight Night 245 will see Darren Elkins take on Daniel Pineda. This will be a fight in the UFC Featherweight division. Elkins enters this fight with an MMA record of 28-11 and he is 18-10 in the UFC. He averages 3.44 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 38%. Elkins absorbs 3.27 strikes and has a striking defense of 52%. His grappling ability has been solid, averaging 2.85 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts during the same period. He has a takedown accuracy of 35% and a takedown defense of 56%.

Pineda enters this fight with an MMA record of 28-16 and he is 5-7 in the UFC. He averages 2.96 significant strikes per minute and has a striking accuracy of 48%. Pineda absorbs 3.34 strikes and has a striking defense of 44%. His grappling is also good, averaging 1.61 takedowns every 15 minutes and 1.5 submission attempts during the same period. He has a takedown accuracy of 24% and his takedown defense is 48%.

Pineda is a small favorite in this fight, but because he has been inconsistent in the UFC, we will instead be looking at Elkins. Pineda is just 2-5 in his last 7 UFC fights, while Elkins is 4-3 over the same stretch. Elkins also has superior striking and grappling, therefore backing him to win will be our best bet.