Veteran Featherweight Darren Elkins Retires After 35-Second TKO at UFC Vegas 120

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 06: A detail view of Paul Craig’s gloves after announcing his retirement following his loss to Modestas Bukauskas in their light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 06, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Zuffa LLC

Veteran featherweight Darren “The Damage” Elkins announced his retirement on Saturday after suffering a first‑round TKO loss to Yadier del Valle at UFC Vegas 120, a bout that lasted only 35 seconds. He finishes his career with a 29‑13 record, a testament to his durability and resilience.

Del Valle knocked Elkins down with a left hook and completed the finish on the mat at 35 seconds. Prior to the bout, Elkins declared the fight his final appearance and placed his gloves in the center of the octagon after the stoppage.

Over a 16‑year span, Elkins competed in 31 UFC bouts, securing the second‑most fights and second‑most wins in featherweight division history. He amassed 2,621 strike landings, placing him seventh all‑time, and earned the nickname “The Damage” for his capacity to endure strikes and unfavorable positions without surrender. He repeatedly rallied from severe cuts and knockdowns, most notably his 2017 comeback against Mirsad Bektić, a bout regarded as one of the sport’s greatest turnarounds.

Throughout his fighting career, Elkins worked as a pipefitter while training for mixed martial arts.

At 42, Elkins confirmed this would be his last bout, referring to it as his “last dance,” citing mounting injuries and the demanding nature of training. He also entered the fight having suffered a first‑round stoppage loss to Julian Erosa at UFC 314 in April 2025.

In a post‑fight press conference, Elkins said, “Obviously, it’s not the ending I wanted, but that’s life.” He now concludes his career on consecutive stoppage defeats, his final victory being a decision over Daniel Pineda in October 2024.

Darren Elkins Key Facts

• Result: Yadier del Valle def. Darren Elkins, KO/TKO, Round 1, 0:35
• Event: UFC Vegas 120 — UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs. Salkilld, Meta APEX, Las Vegas
• Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
• Final record: 29-13 overall, 19-12 in the UFC
• UFC tenure: 16 years, debut March 2010 vs. Duane Ludwig
• Octagon appearances: 31
• Age: 42
• Nickname: “The Damage”
• Awards: One Fight of the Night, three Performance of the Night

Darren Elkins’ UFC featherweight records

Per UFC’s official athlete page

• Second-most fights in UFC featherweight history — 29
• Second-most wins in UFC featherweight history, behind only Max Holloway
• Most decision wins in divisional history
• Most control time in divisional history
• Most submission attempts in divisional history
• 31 total UFC appearances across 16 years, debuting at lightweight in 2010

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