UFC"The Phenom"Evan Elder Record: 10-2-0
LightweightRecord10-2-0
Age29
DivisionLightweight · #106
Combat Edge Elo1650
Last fightSep 27 2025
Evan Elder has a 10-2-0 professional record and is 29 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Nick Diaz Academy. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Evan Elder bio
Personal background
Evan "The Phenom" Elder is an American lightweight competing in the UFC, a 10-2 finisher out of Stockton, California, with a well-rounded game and a long history in the sport for his age. Born on April 11, 1997, Elder was introduced to mixed martial arts by his father at a young age and began wrestling in seventh grade, building the foundation for a deep amateur and pro career. The "Phenom" nickname dates to his teenage years, when he reportedly finished a much older opponent and was tagged a teenage prodigy by local media. He has trained at the Nick Diaz Academy in Stockton alongside the Diaz brothers – a stint he credits for much of his jiu-jitsu – and has spent time at Finney's MMA tied to Shamrock FC. Standing 5'9" with a 72-inch reach, he blends a wrestling base with sharp striking.
Path to the UFC
Elder turned professional in 2018 and tore through the Midwest regional scene, opening his career with a perfect 7-0 run across Shamrock FC and LFA that featured a mix of knockouts, a slick straight-armbar submission and a knee-strike KO. That undefeated regional surge made him one of the more promising lightweight prospects in the country and earned him his shot at the UFC, where he debuted in April 2022.
UFC career
The jump to the top level brought immediate adversity. Elder dropped his Octagon debut by unanimous decision to Preston Parsons in April 2022, then suffered a second straight setback in February 2023, a third-round doctor-stoppage TKO loss to Nazim Sadykhov after a cut ended an otherwise competitive fight. Facing a pivotal moment in his career, Elder responded with the resilience that has defined his run.
The turnaround
Elder rebounded in July 2023 with a unanimous-decision win over Genaro Valdéz, his first UFC victory and a needed statement after the rocky start. He built on it in July 2024 by submitting Darrius Flowers with a second-round arm-triangle choke, showcasing the grappling polish from his Stockton training. He extended the streak to three in April 2025 with a unanimous-decision win over Gauge Young, turning a 0-2 UFC start into a 3-2 promotional record and re-establishing himself as a lightweight to track.
Fighting style
Elder is a balanced, well-rounded fighter rather than a one-dimensional finisher. His record splits cleanly across disciplines – four knockouts, two submissions and four decisions among his wins, for a 60% finish rate – reflecting a fighter comfortable winning on the feet, on the mat or on the cards. The wrestling base he built as a teenager pairs with jiu-jitsu sharpened at the Nick Diaz Academy, giving him real submission threat, as the arm-triangle finish of Flowers demonstrated. The honest read on his ceiling is that the two UFC losses both came early against rangy, awkward opponents, but his three-fight answer suggests an adaptable competitor still trending upward.
Career highlights
- Perfect regional run — opened his pro career 7-0 across Shamrock FC and LFA, finishing the majority of those fights before reaching the UFC.
- Three-fight UFC turnaround — recovered from an 0-2 start to win three straight, including a submission of Darrius Flowers.
- Stockton-forged grappling — trained alongside the Diaz brothers at the Nick Diaz Academy, the source of the jiu-jitsu that has produced his UFC submission wins.
Career snapshot
Evan Elder career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1650Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#798
Lightweight#106of 204 active
Peak1650
Last move+16
Opponent quality1542avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1650 Elo after defeating Gauge Young (2025-04-26)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Evan Elder quick answers
What is Evan Elder's record?
Evan Elder's professional MMA record is 10-2-0.
How old is Evan Elder?
Evan Elder is 29 years old.
What weight class is Evan Elder?
Evan Elder fights at Lightweight in UFC.
How tall is Evan Elder?
Evan Elder is 5'9" tall with a 72" reach.
How much does Evan Elder weigh?
Evan Elder competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Evan Elder's Combat Edge Elo?
Evan Elder's Combat Edge Elo is 1650, with a peak Elo of 1650.
How strong is Evan Elder's recent opposition?
Evan Elder's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1542 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Evan Elder's last fight?
Evan Elder's latest tracked pro fight was against Tom Nolan at UFC Fight Night on Sep 27 2025.
What is Evan Elder's recent form?
Evan Elder's recent tracked pro form is W-W-W-L-L over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Evan Elder usually win?
Evan Elder's 10 recorded wins include 4 knockouts, 2 submissions, and 4 decisions, with 60% ending before the final bell.
4Wins by knockout
2Wins by submission
4Wins by decision
1Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Evan Elder stats
Record : 10 / 2 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
5.66Fighter3.07Division average
Significant striking accuracy
51%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
4.94Fighter3.89Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
57%Fighter53%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.48Fighter1.59Division average
Takedown accuracy
15%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
40%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.48Fighter0.66Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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