Darren Elkins has made a career out of surviving wars, pulling off improbable comebacks, and leaving every ounce of himself inside the octagon.
On Saturday night at UFC Vegas 120, “The Damage” will make that walk one final time when he faces Yaider Del Valle, bringing the curtain down on a UFC career that spanned nearly two decades and made him one of the promotion’s toughest and most respected fighters
“I’m older in age now, but mostly I’m starting to get hurt a little bit more often. Getting to train all the time is taking more of a toll on my body than used to,” Elkins told reporters on Wednesday.
“So it’s time. I’ve been contemplating it for a while. I just talked to my family, worked it all out.”
Elkins has thought about this moment for a long time, and if he’s going to walk away from the sport, he wants to do it on his own terms. For the 42-year-old, there isn’t a better way to close out his career than leaving his gloves in the octagon after one final fight.
“I’ve always wanted to lay my gloves in the octagon. Do it where most people don’t get that chance, right? They either get cut or they have to say it on social media,” he said.
“I wanted to be in the moment, lay my gloves down, and ride off into the sunset.”
Although retirement marks the end of an incredible UFC career, Elkins admitted the decision came easier than many might expect. After spending two decades competing at the highest level, mostly in wars inside the cage, the veteran says he’s leaving the sport on his own terms with no regrets.
“It wasn’t that tough. Stuck around longer than I thought. Listen, if you ever told 22-year-old Darren who just started fighting that you’d be doing this when you’re 42-years-old, I would have laughed at you,” said Elkins.
“But here I am, blessed to be still doing something I love to do.”
Ahead of his final fight, Elkins reflected on a career that exceeded every expectation. Looking back, “The Damage” takes pride in his longevity and the entertaining fights that defined his UFC career.
“It’s been fun. I mean, there’s been some downs, there’s been some ups. But dang I never thought I’d be doing this for a living for this long,” Elkins said.
“It was cool to just see the evolution of the game and be a part of the evolution. I can be proud about it. I knew how to put on entertaining fights and keep evolving.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Darren Elkins above. He faces Yadier del Valle in his retirement fight at UFC Vegas 120 on Saturday night.
