Updated

Updated · Bloody Elbow · Aug 6

Yadier del Valle Stops Darren Elkins in 35 Seconds as 42-Year-Old UFC Veteran Retires

Updated

Updated · Bloody Elbow · Aug 6

Yadier del Valle Stops Darren Elkins in 35 Seconds as 42-Year-Old UFC Veteran Retires

Q: Will Darren Elkins overcome the UFC's ruthless matchmaking to secure a fairytale ending against a prospect fifteen years his junior?

Elkins can absolutely make it ugly and competitive, but the more likely outcome is that Yadier del Valle spoils the fairytale. The matchmaking is classic UFC: a 42-year-old veteran in his retirement bout against a 30-year-old, 10-1 prospect who has publicly said he is coming for a finish and a bonus. Elkins himself said he expected no favors and understood he would probably draw “a younger guy and probably a pretty tough guy.” On paper, it is a hard sendoff rather than a ceremonial one. There is still a real upset path. Elkins has built a career on durability, pressure, wrestling scrambles and chaos, and he has repeatedly won fights that seemed lost. His 19-11 UFC record across 30 fights reflects unusual longevity, and even late in his career he beat capable opponents such as TJ Brown and Daniel Pineda. If he can drag del Valle into a long, messy fight, test his cardio and force grappling exchanges, he has a chance. But the evidence favors del Valle. He is 15 years younger, enters as a heavy betting favorite, and despite his recent loss to Jordan Leavitt, he remains a dangerous finisher with two first-round UFC submissions. He has also said he expects Elkins to wrestle and has prepared for that. So a storybook ending is possible because Elkins has made a career out of defying expectations. But based on age, wear-and-tear, recent form and the matchup itself, it would be an upset rather than the smart pick.

3 articles · Updated · Bloody Elbow · Aug 6

35 seconds into his final UFC fight, Darren Elkins was knocked out by Yadier del Valle at UFC Vegas 120 and then laid down his gloves.
Del Valle, 12 years younger than the 42-year-old featherweight, landed an early shot that dropped Elkins and quickly finished him on the canvas.
Elkins had already planned to retire regardless of the result, ending a UFC run that reached 31 octagon appearances after more than a year away.
The veteran leaves with a long résumé that included fights against Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski and Chad Mendes, plus wins over Michael Johnson and others.