UFC Vegas 120: Yadier del Valle spoils Darren Elkins’ final fight with brutal quick knockout

Yadier del Valle's dominant performance at UFC Vegas 120 came to a devastating end for Darren Elkins, whose retirement bout lasted just 35 seconds. Del Valle stunned Elkins early in the opening round with a brutal left hand that dropped the veteran featherweight to the canvas, prompting referee intervention after a few additional ground strikes.

Elkins, who announced beforehand that Saturday would mark the final fight of his nearly 17-year career regardless of outcome, showed the composure and grace in defeat that characterized his entire run in the sport. The 42-year-old reflected on his journey after the loss, expressing gratitude despite the disappointing finish and vowing to move forward with the same resilience he brought to every octagon appearance.

The loss does little to diminish Elkins' legacy in the UFC. He retires with a 29-13 record and holds the record for most UFC featherweight bouts in history at 29 fights. His 18 wins in the 145-pound division rank second all-time, and he earned four post-fight bonuses throughout his career. Del Valle, meanwhile, showed the sharpness that made him formidable in the featherweight division, crediting an intensive training camp for his readiness in what he acknowledged was an impressive opponent to face.