‘I’d Probably Die’: Elkins Reveals Brutal Reason for UFC Retirement

Who Is Darren Elkins?

Imagine a feline who steps into a cage for a living, gets punched successful the look for 15 years, and still shows up with a smile. That’s Darren Elkins.

• Age: 42 (ancient successful combatant years!)
• UFC Debut: 2010 — that’s 14 years ago
• Total UFC Fights: 30 (a promotional record)
• Record: 19 wins, 11 losses
• Nickname: "The Damage" — due to the fact that helium takes a beating but keeps coming forward

Think of him similar the Energizer Bunny of MMA — helium conscionable keeps going, nary substance however galore times helium gets knocked down.

Why Is He Retiring Now?

It wasn’t a abrupt decision. Elkins had been reasoning astir it for a while. Here’s what helium said astatine media day:

“I’m older successful property now, but mostly I’m starting to get wounded a small spot much often. Getting to bid each the clip is taking much of a toll connected my assemblage than utilized to, truthful it’s time.”

The Big Reasons (In Simple Terms)

1. Body says “enough” — Training campy feels harder each twelvemonth
2. More injuries — Little niggles crook into large problems
3. Family first — He talked it implicit with his woman and kids
4. Wanted a due goodbye — Not a tweet, not a property merchandise — in the cage, gloves connected the mat, walking retired connected his ain terms

Important Point: Most fighters don’t get to take their exit. They get cut, oregon they conscionable slice away. Elkins earned his farewell fight.

A Career Full of Comebacks

Elkins didn’t person an casual path. He astir discontinue erstwhile — back successful 2014.

The Turning Point

Fun Fact: Volkanovski became a two-division champ. Losing to him? No shame astatine all.

Elkins credits evolution for his longevity:

“I started implicit 16 years ago… the crushed wherefore I’m inactive present is due to the fact that I kept connected evolving my game. I’ve seen a batch of guys that halt evolving and that’s erstwhile they commencement losing.”

What’s Next for “The Damage”?

He’s not disappearing — conscionable switching lanes.

Yes, He’ll Still Compete

• Wrestling for RAF (Real American Freestyle) — nary punches, nary kicks, conscionable grappling
• Loves competition, conscionable wants to save his face (literally)

No Bare-Knuckle Boxing (BKFC)

“I’d astir apt die… My MMA fights are bloody. Could you ideate maine successful that? No. I promised my woman I wouldn’t adjacent look astatine that place.”

Translation: His woman said “Absolutely not.” Smart man. Happy wife, blessed life.

The Final Fight: Elkins vs. Yadier del Valle

Tale of the Tape

Elkins’ Mindset Going In

“This is the UFC, there’s not going to beryllium immoderate favors… I expected erstwhile I said I was going beryllium a status combat that I was going to astir apt beryllium a younger guy. I’m 1 of the older guys successful the division, truthful it’s going to beryllium a younger feline and astir apt a beauteous pugnacious feline due to the fact that they cognize erstwhile I’m successful the octagon, it’s going to beryllium a brainsick fight.”

He’s not bitter. He’s realistic.

Key Takeaway: Elkins knows the business. You don’t enactment 14 years by accident. You amusement up, you entertain, you germinate — oregon you’re gone.

Summary: A Warrior’s Farewell

• Darren Elkins, 42, fights one past time astatine UFC Vegas 120 vs. Yadier del Valle
• 30 UFC fights, 19 wins — a existent ironman of the sport
• Retiring due to the fact that body hurts more, training takes longer, family comes first
• Wanted to lay gloves down successful the cage — uncommon and respected
• Nearly discontinue successful 2014, switched gyms, went connected 6-fight triumph streak
• Lost to future champ Volkanovski — nary shame
• Staying active: Wrestling for RAF | Bare-knuckle boxing (wife’s orders)
• Faces a 17-year-younger hostile — but says “I knew the game”

Final Thought: Whether helium wins oregon loses Saturday, Darren Elkins already won the lone combat that matters — he walked distant connected his ain terms.

FAQ: Your Questions, Answered

Why is this called a “retirement bout”?

Because Elkins announced before the combat that win, lose, oregon gully — he’s done. He’s laying his gloves successful the halfway of the octagon after.

How aged was Yadier del Valle erstwhile Elkins debuted?

10 years old. Elkins turned pro successful 2008. Del Valle was calved successful 1999. Let that descend in.

What’s RAF wrestling?

Real American Freestyle — a wrestling league with modified rules (no pins, points for action). Think: folkstyle meets freestyle, made for TV. No striking. Just grappling.

Why nary bare-knuckle boxing?

Elkins bleeds a lot successful MMA (with gloves). Bare-knuckle = way much cuts, mode much damage. His woman said “Nope.” He listened.

What’s his legacy?

Durability. Evolution. Entertainment. He ne'er quit, ne'er stopped improving, and ever enactment connected a show. Fighters 20 years younger mention him arsenic inspiration.

“A warrior who ne'er gave up connected himself.”
— That’s however the UFC described him.
And aft Saturday night, he’ll inactive beryllium that feline — conscionable without the gloves.