Darren
Elkins wants to ride off into the sunset on his own terms.
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran is set for his
retirement fight against Yadier Dell Valle at
UFC Vegas 120, taking place at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Aug.
8.
Advertisement
‘I did it my way’: Darren Elkins reflects on career ahead of
retirement bout
The 42-year-old revealed that he has been contemplating retirement
for quite some time, as his body is no longer what it once was.
After more than a decade and a half in the UFC, Elkins wants to lay
down his gloves inside the Octagon rather than announce his
retirement on social media.
“I’m older in age now,” Elkins said at media day. “But mostly, I’m
starting to get hurt now a little bit more often. Training all the
time is taking a toll on my body more than it used to. It’s time;
I’ve been contemplating it for a while… I’ve always wanted to leave
my gloves in the Octagon; most people don’t get that chance.”
Elkins went 19-11 in the UFC, delivering some of the most violent
fights in featherweight history. Not one to trash talk, “The
Damage” also received respect from his opponents. In a sport where
fighters often cross boundaries and use gimmicks to sell fights,
Elkins is proud to have gone about his business with respect.
“I haven’t had too many guys that have ever disrespected me in this
career,” Elkins said. “They know who I am, they know what I’m
about, they know I’m going to bring it. I didn’t always get the
results I want, but they knew they were going to be in a fight… I
never had to talk crap about my opponents. I did it my way. I did
everything my way. Most people can’t say that.”