Darren Elkins
“The Damage”
Record 29-12United StatesTeam Alpha Male
Next fight
vs. Yadier del Valle — UFC Fight Night, August 8, 2026
The style
Relentless grinder
Cardio · Toughness · Wrestling
GrapplingStriking
Darren Elkins is one of the longest-tenured fighters in UFC history — the Indiana native debuted in the promotion in 2010 and has fought 30 times inside the Octagon. Nicknamed The Damage for his bloody, never-say-die comebacks, he's beaten names like Mirsad Bektic, Dennis Bermudez, and Michael Johnson, and once rode a six-fight win streak to the edge of title contention. At 42, the Team Alpha Male veteran is expected to make this his farewell fight after a 16-year UFC run. His game has always been the same: relentless pace, wrestling, and a chin that refuses to quit.
Tale of the tape
| Record | 29-12 |
| Age | 42 |
| Height | 5'10" |
| Reach | 71" |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Country | United States |
| Team | Team Alpha Male |
The numbers
Career UFC averages.
| Sig. strikes landed / min | 3.4 |
| Striking accuracy | 38% |
| Sig. strikes absorbed / min | 3.34 |
| Striking defense | 51% |
| Takedowns / 15 min | 2.87 |
| Takedown accuracy | 34% |
| Takedown defense | 56% |
| Submission attempts / 15 min | 1.1 |
How they win
9 KO/TKO6 SUB14 DEC
How they lose
5 KO/TKO1 SUB6 DEC