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Back in September of 2025, Evan Elder was scheduled to throw down with recent headliner Tom Nolan. He was geared up for the event and knew how big of an opportunity it might be to move him forward. However, an ankle injury dropped him for the fight and left him with nearly 20 consecutive months without a fight.<\/p>\n
Despite being unable to train for some large chunks of that time, Elder still feels he was able to grow quite a bit.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot to be too philosophical or anything like that, but I really believe that we can always be getting better somewhere,\u201d Elder explained. \u201cI\u2019m still pretty much almost always doing something physical. There\u2019s very few injuries \u2013 actually ankles and knees, lower body injuries are specifically a little bit more difficult to work around \u2013 but nonetheless, I still think you can work around them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only did he find ways to work around the physical side of things, but there are other ways to improve as well. Taking up the mental side of the game and using visualization, Elder felt like he was making improvements every moment he was in the gym \u2013 no matter how banged up he was.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was working on a lot while I was injured physically \u2013 like corrective exercises for the rest of my body. Trying to heal up and strengthen shoulders and hips and back and stuff like that while my ankle is also undergoing recovery,\u201d he explained. \u201cThen with that being said, just watching tape, watching practice, thinking about, how to do and perform specific techniques.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although it\u2019s not ideal, Elder actually feels like the tough times are what help you grow the most. And it\u2019s what will help him here as he finally gets a chance to show out again.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really is always in those moments of frustration and discomfort \u2013 just being aggravated or uncomfortable with where you are \u2013 that the most growth happens,\u201d Elder explained. \u201cI think that keeping a positive perspective ultimately allows you to be far more consistent and consistency is what\u2019s going to beat anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can catch Elder\u2019s next chance to show off the fruits of his labor at UFC 334. Elder fights Samuel Sanches as part of the UFC 334 prelims. The card begins at 5pm EST and airs exclusively on Paramount+.<\/p>\n