Darren Elkins Embraces Final UFC Fight

Darren Elkins is approaching his final UFC fight with a familiar intention: work hard, stay present and embrace the experience. At UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs Salkilld on Saturday, Elkins is scheduled to make his 31st walk to the Octagon, facing Cuba’s Yadier Del Valle in the last bout of his MMA career. The 42-year-old said he wants to leave his gloves in the Octagon and walk away after a career built around persistence, physical toughness and a willingness to keep pushing when fights become difficult.

The decision followed reflection after Elkins did not get the result he wanted in his previous fight. He told UFC.com that he took time to heal and contemplate what he wanted to do with his career before deciding to compete once more on his own terms. That timeline matters because this is not presented as a sudden exit in the middle of camp. Elkins has identified this camp as his last, trained hard for it and deliberately tried to appreciate the people who have supported him over the years. His repeated message has been simple: enjoy the moment.

A final walk shaped by Elkins’ approach

Elkins’ nickname, “The Damage,” began as a humorous reference to the cuts and punishment he has absorbed in fights. Rather than reject the label, he embraced it, even having the moniker tattooed across his chest. He has said that he does not take life too seriously and is comfortable with who he is, including the visible evidence that can come with his style. The humor, however, sits alongside a serious competitive edge. Elkins connected his ability to endure difficult moments to lessons learned through wrestling, explaining that he trusts his heart and willingness to push when contests become a test of resolve.

That outlook gives added context to what Elkins wants from the final week of his career. He is not describing retirement as a reason to ease off preparation; he said he has trained hard and enjoyed strong sessions. Instead, he has tried to make room for gratitude within the work. Elkins was born and raised in Indiana and is based in Sacramento, California. He said difficult experiences while growing up, including being picked on and getting into fights at school, helped form his determination to prove people wrong and not give up on himself. Those comments frame the final appearance as the closing chapter of a long personal and athletic commitment, rather than just one more event on the calendar.

Elkins closes a long UFC chapter

One result remains especially prominent in Elkins’ own view of his UFC run: his third-round finish of then-undefeated Mirsad Bektic at UFC 209 in March 2017. Bektic had been discussed as a rising prospect at 145 pounds and was favored for the meeting, but Elkins battled through two rounds before landing a head kick and follow-up punches in the third. Elkins called it a gamechanger and said it is the fight people most often mention when discussing his career. The final matchup brings a different point in the sport’s timeline. Del Valle is 12 years younger than Elkins and only three fights into his UFC career, but Elkins said he likes the pairing because both men bring a scrappy style and he expects an entertaining fight.

• Elkins said he plans to leave his gloves in the Octagon after his final bout.
• After competition, Elkins said he intends to spend more time with family and step into a coaching role as his son pursues fighting.

For Elkins, the final fight is both a competitive assignment and an occasion to recognize the length of the road behind him. He said the bout will be emotional for him and his family, while also insisting that his focus inside the Octagon will remain as strong as ever. After more than 37 years in combat sports, beginning when he was five, Elkins expects to stay connected through coaching while creating more time for his family. Before that transition begins, he has one final UFC walk and one final opportunity to carry the “enjoy the moment” mindset into competition.

Sources: UFC.com