Darrius Flowers
Beast Mode
USA
Finally earns first UFC victory
Flowers defeated Lando Vannata via TKO (strikes) at 0:52 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Flowers entered having lost each of his first three UFC fights. To make matters worse, he proceeded to miss weight for this bout by half a pound. He almost certainly would have been handed his walking papers had he come up short against Vannata. Instead, Flowers put forth a performance few could have seen coming. This fight turned in the latter stages of Round 1 after Darrius was able to pick Vannata up and land a big slam. The latter appeared to dislocate a rib upon hitting the mat and was never able to recover. Flowers eventually scored the finish after picking up another takedown early in Round 2. The 31-year-old Iowa native has displayed a ton of inconsistency throughout his pro career, even prior to his UFC arrival, so this seems unlikely to be the start of something bigger.
Flowers entered having lost each of his first three UFC fights. To make matters worse, he proceeded to miss weight for this bout by half a pound. He almost certainly would have been handed his walking papers had he come up short against Vannata. Instead, Flowers put forth a performance few could have seen coming. This fight turned in the latter stages of Round 1 after Darrius was able to pick Vannata up and land a big slam. The latter appeared to dislocate a rib upon hitting the mat and was never able to recover. Flowers eventually scored the finish after picking up another takedown early in Round 2. The 31-year-old Iowa native has displayed a ton of inconsistency throughout his pro career, even prior to his UFC arrival, so this seems unlikely to be the start of something bigger.
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Catchweight fight with Vannata
Flowers will compete against Lando Vannata in a catchweight fight Saturday for UFC Vegas 115, according to MMA Junkie.
ANALYSIS
In the midst of a winless UFC streak, Flowers missed weight, which not only means he forfeits 20 percent of his purse but also puts more pressure on him to defeat Vannata. The former has not fought since July 2024, taking time to regroup after a few losses.
In the midst of a winless UFC streak, Flowers missed weight, which not only means he forfeits 20 percent of his purse but also puts more pressure on him to defeat Vannata. The former has not fought since July 2024, taking time to regroup after a few losses.
Will fight Vannata
Flowers will fight Lando Vannata at UFC Vegas 115 on April 4, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Flowers, who has not fought since July 2024, has booked his next tilt versus Vannata. While this announcement comes less than a month before the scheduled fight, Dorff reports that it has been booked for some time and that both fighters have been preparing. Flowers has lost all three of his UFC fights, so he will be desperate to get his first victory.
Flowers, who has not fought since July 2024, has booked his next tilt versus Vannata. While this announcement comes less than a month before the scheduled fight, Dorff reports that it has been booked for some time and that both fighters have been preparing. Flowers has lost all three of his UFC fights, so he will be desperate to get his first victory.
Remains winless in UFC
Flowers lost to Evan Elder via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:46 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Denver.
ANALYSIS
It was the type of dreadful performance that will almost certainly result in Flowers being handed his walking papers. Outclassed from start to finish, Flowers generated next to nothing offensively in the opening frame. He then proceeded to tell his corner he "couldn't breathe" in between rounds. Not surprisingly, he found himself tapping out to Elder early in Round 2. Flowers has been a member of the UFC roster for less than a year, but he's already 0-3 with the promotion, including a pair of submission defeats. It would be beyond shocking if the company ran him back out there a fourth time.
It was the type of dreadful performance that will almost certainly result in Flowers being handed his walking papers. Outclassed from start to finish, Flowers generated next to nothing offensively in the opening frame. He then proceeded to tell his corner he "couldn't breathe" in between rounds. Not surprisingly, he found himself tapping out to Elder early in Round 2. Flowers has been a member of the UFC roster for less than a year, but he's already 0-3 with the promotion, including a pair of submission defeats. It would be beyond shocking if the company ran him back out there a fourth time.
Scheduled for UFC Denver
Flowers is scheduled to compete against Evan Elder in a lightweight fight at UFC Denver on Saturday, per Aaron Bronsteter of Sportsnet.
ANALYSIS
For the third time, Flowers will have a chance to log his first UFC win. He lost to Jake Matthews (via submission) at UFC 291 and Michael Johnson (via decision) on Feb. 10. Flowers and Elder will feature both fighters competing in under half a week's notice.
For the third time, Flowers will have a chance to log his first UFC win. He lost to Jake Matthews (via submission) at UFC 291 and Michael Johnson (via decision) on Feb. 10. Flowers and Elder will feature both fighters competing in under half a week's notice.
Still searching for first UFC win
Flowers lost to Michael Johnson via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a lousy performance from Flowers, marred by inactivity and the inability to defend a takedown. Johnson got the better of the striking exchanges simply by firing off more volume. Flowers' corner was asking him to be more active in between rounds, but it never materialized. Toss in the fact Darius spent more than six minutes being controlled on the mat, and he never had a chance of winning a decision. Flowers has not been competitive in each of his first two UFC bouts. There's no guarantee he'll get a third opportunity.
It was a lousy performance from Flowers, marred by inactivity and the inability to defend a takedown. Johnson got the better of the striking exchanges simply by firing off more volume. Flowers' corner was asking him to be more active in between rounds, but it never materialized. Toss in the fact Darius spent more than six minutes being controlled on the mat, and he never had a chance of winning a decision. Flowers has not been competitive in each of his first two UFC bouts. There's no guarantee he'll get a third opportunity.