Darren Elkins confirms Yadier del Valle fight as his last

This weekend, Darren Elkins takes on Yadier del Valle in a featherweight bout at UFC Vegas 120. While honoring his media obligations with an interview, he confirmed that his upcoming bout, win or lose, will be his last.

Darren Elkins makes his final octagon walk

Darren Elkins has been on the UFC roster since 2010, spending most of his career in the promotion, and now at 42 years old, with 29 wins and 12 losses under his belt, he feels it's the right time to retire. As he addressed the MMA media in his media day interview, he revealed that it wasn't a decision he made on a whim. Rather, it was a decision he made with his family after realizing that his body can no longer handle the physical demands of a life in combat sports (0:08):

"This is it, brother. Just, I'm older in age now, but mostly I'm starting to get hurt a little bit more often, you know? Getting to train all the time is taking more of a toll on my body than it used to, so it's time. I mean, I've been contemplating it for a while and I just talked to my family, worked it all out, and I'm like, you know what, 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 or something like that. I wanted it to be in the moment, laying my gloves down and ride off to the sunset."

When asked if he'd consider a career in bare-knuckle boxing at BKFC, where several UFC veterans have plied their trade, Elkins was quick to shut the suggestion down (4:30):

"No, no, that's not my style, bro. I'd probably die. My MMA fights are bloody, can you imagine me in that? No. I promised my wife I wouldn't even look at that place."

Despite never capturing a UFC title or ever even fighting for the belt, Elkins will leave the UFC with several featherweight records to his name. He has the most fights in UFC featherweight history with 28 bouts, the most decision wins in the division with 12, and the most takedowns landed at 65.

The Damage's always down for a fight! 👊

🇺🇸@DarrenElkinsMMA makes his final walk this Sunday on #UFCVegas120! pic.twitter.com/lJFILoMD1s

— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) August 6, 2026

He has also faced several high-profile fighters during his tenure, including former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, multi-time featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes, and all-time great featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.