Former wrestling champ among headliners at Duneland Classic

Being a state champion wrestler has prepared Darren Elkins for the world of mixed martial arts.

Well, not entirely.

"Wrestling teaches you how to condition yourself," said Elkins, who was a four-time semistate champion for Portage before winning the 140-pound state title in 2004. "But it doesn't prepare you for getting punched in the face."

Elkins learned that the hard way during his MMA debut two years ago during a Bodog fight card in British Columbia, Canada.

"(Atshuriro Tsuboi) caught me a couple of times in the chin, and I was seeing some stars," Elkins said. "I had never been there before."

Elkins managed to recover, take Tsuboi to the ground and choke him into submission before the opening round was over.

Since then, Elkins has compiled a record of 9-0-0 and will put his perfect mark on the line when he takes on Ted Worthington of Des Moines, Iowa, in one of the headline events at Duneland Classic VI tonight at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point.

"I know he's a well-rounded fighter with more than 40 fights to his credit," Elkins said of Worthington, whom he will do battle with in a 155-pound bout. "He's a tall 150-pounder, and definitely the most experienced opponent I've ever faced."

Other headline fighters putting their undefeated records on the line include Lake Station's Josh "One Kick" Shockley (8-0-1), who will take on Jeff Green (5-4-1) of Schererville in a 155-pound bout; and St. John's Jared "The Spider" McMahan (10-0-1), who will take on Yusup Saunduliev (5-0-1) of Chicago in a 135-pound bout.

Also, Lake Station's John Kolosci (10-5-0), who earned a national fan following after his gutsy reality TV performance on "The Ultimate Fighter" several years ago, is scheduled to take on Cedar Lake's Scott Sands (4-0-0) in a 170-pound bout.

The Duneland Classic is hosted by Duneland Vale Tudo, which has Elkins and Shockley in its stable of fighters.

Another DVT fighter, who was a popular attraction at previous "Classics" as well as at other local and national fight cards, is super-heavyweight Mark Burch.

"I'm now retired," said Burch, who is helping promote the event.

Burch had a record of 10-2-0 with a no contest, and seemed on the verge of breaking out into the big time.

"But if (the UFC) don't want me because of my age (40), there's no sense in just beating everyone up around here," Burch said. "I wanted to fight the best, and I thought I deserved a chance."

Duneland Classic VI

Tonight at the Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point

Doors open at 6 p.m.; fights start at 7:30 p.m.

Headline Bouts

155-pounds -- Josh Shockley (8-0-1, Lake Station, Duneland Vale Tudo) vs. Jeff Green (5-4-1, Schererville, Extreme Martial Arts).

135 -- Jared McMahan (10-0-1, St. John, Corral's Martial Arts) vs. Yusup Sauduliev (5-0-1, Chicago, Uflacker Academy).

155 -- Darren Elkins (9-0-0, Portage, Duneland Vale Tudo) vs. Ted Worthington (26-18-0, Des Moines, Iowa, Des Moines Fight Team).

170 -- John Kolosci (10-5-0, Lake Station, L.A. Boxing/Gilbert Grappling) vs. Scott Sands (4-0-0, Cedar Lake, Corral's Martial Arts).

Undercard Bouts

135 -- Charles Wilson (14-8-0, Chicago, Super Kicks TMA Academy) vs. TBA.

190 -- Brad Levin (2-1-0, Hobart, Duneland Vale Tudo) vs. Rob Morrow (5-5-0, Chicago, American Vale Tudo).

155 -- Bryan Fielder (10-6-0, Portage, Duneland Vale Tudo) vs. Jake Himes (6-5-0, Knox, Hard Knox Fight Team).

170 -- Jeremy Downs (3-2-0, Michigan City, Duneland Vale Tudo) vs. Justin Felix (0-0-0, Knox, Hard Knox Fight Team).

205 -- Stephen Roberson (0-0-0, Portage, Duneland Vale Tudo) vs. Mike Heartline (0-0-0, Merrillville, L.A. Boxing).

155 -- Matt O'Donnel (0-2-0, Griffith, Modern Martial Arts) vs. Nick Wayne (0-1-0, Portage, L.A. Boxing).