RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesDarren Elkins' retirement bout at UFC Fight Night 284 lasted less than a minute after Yadier del Valle spoiled the moment with a quick finish.
Del Valle (29-13 MMA, 19-12 UFC) shut down Elkins' (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) first takedown attempt, found his distance then landed a massive left hook that floored the longtime veteran and caused the referee to jump in at the 35-second mark of Round 1.
Check out the replay of the finish below (via X ):
GAME, SET, MATCH. Yadier del Valle doesn't waste any time in earning the R1 finish! [ #UFCVegas120 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/OiplZ1SfzM
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 9, 2026 After the fight, del Valle relished in the glory of his victory, but also made sure to heap praise on Elkins after his final moment.
"Please, a round of applause for Darren Elkins," del Valle told Daniel Cormier through an interpreter in his post-fight interview. "It's his last fight here. I'm so happy I was able to share the octagon with him – a great career."
Elkins, who exits the sport with a record 29 featherweight appearances and 18 victories (second-most in divisional history), was given the chance to send a final message before stepping out of the cage one last time.
"I didn't love how this ended, but that's life, right?" Elkins told Cormier in the cage. "I'm going to keep going. I can't lose in life. I've got a lot of good things going in my life. I'm happy. I just want to take a minute to thank all my coaches: Danny (Castillo), Chris Holdsworth, Joey Rodriguez – they've been with me since the beginning and believed in me. Urijah Faber and Team Alpha Male, obviously."
"Obviously my wife – I wouldn't be here without my wife. She's been on board the whole time. She's supported me. My kids, Emma and DJ – I love them. I've definitely got to thank everybody at the UFC. This has been a journey – almost 17 years. I never thought I would still be doing it at 42 years old. I'm thankful for it all. All my fans – I appreciate you guys."
Congrats on a hell of a career @DarrenElkinsMMA . pic.twitter.com/el3Tff8hgv
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2026 "I always left it in the cage" 🥲 Happy retirement, Darren Elkins! One to remember at featherweight! [ #UFCVegas120 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/2LzJlFpMNL
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 9, 2026 Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 284 results:
Yadier del Valle def. Darren Elkins via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 0:35
Alexia Thainara def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Ty Miller def. Billy Ray Goff via TKO (punch) – Round 3, 0:15
Steven Asplund def. Guilherme Pat via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Diyar Nurgozhay def. Bruno Lopes via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
Jose Montanha vs. Louie Sutherland via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:50
Manoel Sousa def. Richie Miranda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Miles Johns def. Gianni Vazquez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:09
Juliana Miller def. Ravena Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:38
Carol Foro def. Gigi Canuto via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 120 video: Yadier del Valle spoils Darren Elkins' retirement with quick TKO
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.