Darren Elkins
The Damage
USA
Long career ends with instant loss
Elkins lost to Yadier Del Valle via TKO (punches) at 0:35 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Making the walk for the final time in his professional career, Elkins lasted all of 35 seconds, folding at the first sign of trouble. It was the expected result, and at age 42, the result was irrelevant. "The Damage" had a stellar career. He was never a legitimate title contender or anything like that, but you'd be hard pressed to find another fighter more respected by his peers. Elkins made his professional debut back in January 2007. He had 31 fights with the UFC (19-12) and shared the octagon with the likes of Charles Oliveira, Chad Mendes, Alexander Volkanovski, and others. It was quite a run for the Indiana native and long time Team Alpha Male product.
Making the walk for the final time in his professional career, Elkins lasted all of 35 seconds, folding at the first sign of trouble. It was the expected result, and at age 42, the result was irrelevant. "The Damage" had a stellar career. He was never a legitimate title contender or anything like that, but you'd be hard pressed to find another fighter more respected by his peers. Elkins made his professional debut back in January 2007. He had 31 fights with the UFC (19-12) and shared the octagon with the likes of Charles Oliveira, Chad Mendes, Alexander Volkanovski, and others. It was quite a run for the Indiana native and long time Team Alpha Male product.
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Fighting Del Valle in Vegas
Darren Elkins will fight Yadier Del Valle at UFC Vegas 120 on Aug. 8, Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Elkins will look to bounce back against Del Valle after losing via TKO to Julian Erosa in the spring of 2025. "The Damage" has now gone 3-2 in his last fights, so he'll aim to avoid the curse of .500 in the featherweight bout.
Elkins will look to bounce back against Del Valle after losing via TKO to Julian Erosa in the spring of 2025. "The Damage" has now gone 3-2 in his last fights, so he'll aim to avoid the curse of .500 in the featherweight bout.
Not competitive in Miami loss
Elkins lost to Julian Erosa via TKO (strikes) at 4:15 of Round 1 at UFC 314 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
This was a highly concerning performance from Elkins all the way around and one that makes you wonder if all the wars the 40-year-old Indiana native has been in over the years are starting to take their toll. Elkins appeared out of sorts from the very start and found himself in immediate trouble after eating an early upkick from Erosa flush in the face. Things got no better, and he was eventually put away for good late in Round 1. "The Damage" is 3-2 in his last five fights, so his roster spot would appear to be pretty secure, but the UFC clearly has to be very careful regarding who it matches him up against moving forward.
This was a highly concerning performance from Elkins all the way around and one that makes you wonder if all the wars the 40-year-old Indiana native has been in over the years are starting to take their toll. Elkins appeared out of sorts from the very start and found himself in immediate trouble after eating an early upkick from Erosa flush in the face. Things got no better, and he was eventually put away for good late in Round 1. "The Damage" is 3-2 in his last five fights, so his roster spot would appear to be pretty secure, but the UFC clearly has to be very careful regarding who it matches him up against moving forward.
Will fight Julian Erosa
Elkins will face Julian Erosa at UFC 314 on April 12, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Elkins is a well-established veteran who's close to turning 41 years of age, but he remains active on the octagon and has been getting good results with a 3-1 record over his last four fights. "The Damage" won his most recent fight against Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision.
Elkins is a well-established veteran who's close to turning 41 years of age, but he remains active on the octagon and has been getting good results with a 3-1 record over his last four fights. "The Damage" won his most recent fight against Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision.
Vintage performance in win
Elkins defeated Daniel Pineda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
If you've seen one Elkins fight, you've seen them all. There is no man on the UFC roster tougher, nor betting equipped to fight through difficult situations. As is often the case, "The Damage" dropped Round 1 here. Yet, he was able to stick with it and outworked his opponent over the course of the final 10 minutes to earn the decision win. Both men would walk away with $50,000 bonuses after this matchup was given Fight of the Night honors. Elkins is nearing the end of the line at age 40, but he's 3-1 in his past four fights dating back to April 2022. There's some gas left in the tank here as long as the UFC remains exceedingly careful regarding the level of competition it matches him up against moving forward.
If you've seen one Elkins fight, you've seen them all. There is no man on the UFC roster tougher, nor betting equipped to fight through difficult situations. As is often the case, "The Damage" dropped Round 1 here. Yet, he was able to stick with it and outworked his opponent over the course of the final 10 minutes to earn the decision win. Both men would walk away with $50,000 bonuses after this matchup was given Fight of the Night honors. Elkins is nearing the end of the line at age 40, but he's 3-1 in his past four fights dating back to April 2022. There's some gas left in the tank here as long as the UFC remains exceedingly careful regarding the level of competition it matches him up against moving forward.
Fighting Pineda in October
Elkins will take on Daniel Pineda at a UFC event in Las Vegas on October 19, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Elkins will take on Pineda in his first bout since undergoing surgery on his broken leg in December. The 40-year-old American will look to use his experience in the ring along with a size and reach advantage to take down the 39-year-old Pineda, who will be looking to turn things around coming off back-to-back losses in his two most recent bouts. Elkins will head into the fight coming off a submission victory over TJ Brown in his most recent bout last October.
Elkins will take on Pineda in his first bout since undergoing surgery on his broken leg in December. The 40-year-old American will look to use his experience in the ring along with a size and reach advantage to take down the 39-year-old Pineda, who will be looking to turn things around coming off back-to-back losses in his two most recent bouts. Elkins will head into the fight coming off a submission victory over TJ Brown in his most recent bout last October.