Front Lines

Elder was born on November 4, 1997, in Hillsboro, Missouri. He had his first MMA fight at just 15 years old, finishing a 23-year-old opponent in the second round. Local reporters published an article calling him a '15-year-old phenom,' and the nickname stuck.

He turned pro in 2018 with a 6-1 amateur record, and by his mid-20s had aligned with the Kill Cliff FC program in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Elder's breakthrough came at UFC Denver in July 2024, when he accepted a short-notice fight up a weight class (170 lbs) on four days' notice and submitted Darrius Flowers via arm-triangle choke in the second round. Taking a fight on four days' notice at a new weight class and finishing emphatically — that is the Front Lines philosophy in action.

Elder speaks extensively about faith and how it informs his 'Front Lines' fighting philosophy — a mental framework about embracing suffering and doing good in the world. He followed his Denver submission with a unanimous decision win over Gauge Young at UFC Fight Night Kansas City in April 2025, improving to 3-2 in the UFC and 10-2 overall.

Elder is a Dutch-style kickboxer who excels at mixing punches with kicks in combinations that end with power shots or leg kicks. He has a growing submission game — arm-triangle choke, armbar — built on a purple belt BJJ foundation. His kill-or-be-killed aggression and willingness to accept short-notice fights at new weight classes speak to his mental toughness.

Elder recently moved his training base from Kill Cliff FC in Florida to Las Vegas. He has a family in Missouri and has spoken openly about using his platform to make a positive impact. He describes his goal simply: become UFC champion and use the platform for good.