Darren Elkins assertion on retiring after 16 years within the UFC

As deliberate, Darren Elkins retired from blended martial arts on Saturday night time following his battle with Yadier del Valle on the undercard of UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs. Salkilld. Not deliberate: the best way he went out through TKO simply 35 seconds into the bout.

It was a tricky ending for “The Damage,” however the best way it goes for a lot of fighters who stick round this lengthy. Elkins leaves the game at 42 years outdated and a 29-13 report (19-12 UFC) and the phrase that saved arising following the loss was ‘gratitude.’

“Obviously, it’s not the ending I wanted, but that’s life,” Elkins stated on the post-fight press convention. “You don’t always get the ending you want. I had a chance to do it at least. Most people don’t get that chance … So I wanted my happy ending, but shoot shoot, man. I’ve had so many happy endings in my life. I’m I’m thankful. I’m thankful that I have my health. I have my family. It’s emotional, but, man, was it a fun ride.”

Elkins sounded ready for post-fight life.

“I’m feeling a little bit of relief,” he admitted. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life. This is a young man’s game. I knew that. I stuck around for probably a little bit longer than I should’ve, but I loved it so much. I was like, ‘We’ll do a little bit more.’ So do I regret it? No. Should I probably [have] retired? Probably a little bit sooner. Maybe after [the] Daniel Pineda one would’ve been kinda cool, but it I got greedy.”

The Pineda battle in October 2024 was Elkins’ final win, and he’s gone out on two TKO losses. You may criticize the UFC for giving “The Damage” such a tricky send-off, but it surely was all love on his facet.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here, to show who I am, to to keep stepping in the octagon, for believing in me,” he stated. “Those guys, I’ve always got along with everybody at the UFC. I’m a guy, they know I’m gonna show up. I’m gonna clock in. I’m gonna give everything I have. I’m gonna make weight. I’m gonna be on time. I’m not gonna complain. I never complained.”

“They knew who I was, and I knew who they were. So we had a great relationship. I have not really anything to say bad about the UFC. I’ve had some really good experiences with them.”

And it’s been fairly the expertise getting to observe “The Damage” battle over the previous 16 years. Win or lose, he all the time introduced it. What extra may you ask for?