Darren Elkins knows that in the eyes of oddsmakers, he’s coming in as a big underdog against Mirsad Bektic at tonight’s UFC 209 event.

But he doesn’t seem particularly fazed by that. As he looks to add a fourth victory to his current winning streak while ending Bektic’s (11-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) undefeated pro run in the process, Elkins (21-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) is no stranger to making the most out of this type of situation.

“I am aware of the odds,” Elkins told MMAjunkie Radio. “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.”

The featherweight scrap is part of UFC 209’s FS1-televised prelims that precede the pay-per-view main card. The event takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Elkins might bring in a more irregular record, but with more UFC fights than Bektic has overall pro bouts, the 32-year-old has faced a fair amount of tough competition. And while Bektic doesn’t rank quite as highly as the likes of former two-time title challenger Chad Mendes in the toughness scale, he’s, well, somewhere up there.

“Obviously, all my losses are to the top guys,” Elkins said. “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.”

Other than experience, Elkins also brings some of his own momentum. Currently enjoying a steady stream of wins – all decisions and over Godofredo Castro, Skelly and Robert Whiteford – following a rocky period that had him on a seesaw of wins and losses, “The Damage” cited the move to Sacramento-based Team Alpha Male for the momentum.

“I needed a change, and Alpha Male was the answer,” Elkins said. “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.”

For more on UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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