\n<\/p>\n
Darren Elkins has made a career out of surviving wars, pulling off improbable comebacks, and leaving every ounce of himself inside the octagon.<\/p>\n
On Saturday night at UFC Vegas 120, \u201cThe Damage\u201d will make that walk one final time when he faces Yaider Del Valle, bringing the curtain down on a UFC career that spanned nearly two decades and made him one of the promotion\u2019s toughest and most respected fighters<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m older in age now, but mostly I\u2019m starting to get hurt a little bit more often. Getting to train all the time is taking more of a toll on my body than used to,\u201d Elkins told reporters on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s time. I\u2019ve been contemplating it for a while. I just talked to my family, worked it all out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elkins has thought about this moment for a long time, and if he\u2019s going to walk away from the sport, he wants to do it on his own terms. For the 42-year-old, there isn\u2019t a better way to close out his career than leaving his gloves in the octagon after one final fight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to lay my gloves in the octagon. Do it where most people don\u2019t get that chance, right? They either get cut or they have to say it on social media,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to be in the moment, lay my gloves down, and ride off into the sunset.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although retirement marks the end of an incredible UFC career, Elkins admitted the decision came easier than many might expect. After spending two decades competing at the highest level, mostly in wars inside the cage, the veteran says he\u2019s leaving the sport on his own terms with no regrets.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t that tough. Stuck around longer than I thought. Listen, if you ever told 22-year-old Darren who just started fighting that you\u2019d be doing this when you\u2019re 42-years-old, I would have laughed at you,\u201d said Elkins.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut here I am, blessed to be still doing something I love to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahead of his final fight, Elkins reflected on a career that exceeded every expectation. Looking back, \u201cThe Damage\u201d takes pride in his longevity and the entertaining fights that defined his UFC career.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been fun. I mean, there\u2019s been some downs, there\u2019s been some ups. But dang I never thought I\u2019d be doing this for a living for this long,\u201d Elkins said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was cool to just see the evolution of the game and be a part of the evolution. I can be proud about it. I knew how to put on entertaining fights and keep evolving.\u201d<\/p>\n