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Darren Elkins feels 'relief' after retirement during UFC Vegas 120: "This is a young man's game"

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Darren Elkins feels 'relief' after retirement during UFC Vegas 120: "This is a young man's game"
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Colby Covington praises Arman Tsarukyan following RAF 11 match: “You're gonna be the UFC lightweight champâ€
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Darren Elkins said goodbye to pro MMA competition during UFC Vegas 120, and he is relieved.

The retirement fight this past Saturday inside the Meta Apex didn't last long. Yadier del Valle struck early and his aggression paid off with a first-round TKO in 35 seconds. During the post-fight press conference, “The Damage†admitted that he feels he held onto his prizefighting run longer than it needed to go (h/t MMAMania.com).

“I'm feeling a little bit of relief,†Elkins said. “I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life. This is a young man's game. I knew that. I stuck around for probably a little bit longer than I should've, but I loved it so much. I was like, ‘We'll do a little bit more.' So do I regret it? No. Should I probably [have] retired? Probably a little bit sooner. Maybe after [the] Daniel Pineda one would've been kinda cool, but it I got greedy.â€

Elkins also shared his gratitude for the opportunities he received under the UFC banner, and he took pride in never rocking the boat with the higherups.

“Those guys, I've always got along with everybody at the UFC. I'm a guy, they know I'm gonna show up. I'm gonna clock in. I'm gonna give everything I have. I'm gonna make weight. I'm gonna be on time. I'm not gonna complain. I never complained.â€

Elkins suffered back-to-back first-round losses to end his 42-fight career. Throughout his run, Elkins faced some notable names, such as reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski, Chad Mendes, and Jeremy Stephens.

Perhaps the most memorable moment in Elkins' career occurred at UFC 209 back in 2017. “The Damage†scored a stunning come-from-behind victory over Mirsad Bektić, who was undefeated going into the bout. Elkins' memorable effort earned him a “Performance of the Night†bonus.

Share your thoughts on Darren Elkins' retirement below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

UFC 331 ‘Van vs. Pantoja 2’ play-by-play, results & round scoring

Published

49 minutes ago

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September 19, 2026

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UFC 331 ‘Van vs. Pantoja 2’ play-by-play, results & round scoring

Sherdog’s live UFC
331 “Van vs. Pantoja 2†coverage will begin Saturday at 5:30
p.m. ET.

UFC 331 live results for Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2 and
the full fight card

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

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Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

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Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

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Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

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Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

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Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

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Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

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Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

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Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 4

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

Round 5

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round:
Tudor Leonte scores the round:
Mike Sloan scores the round:

The Official Result

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MMA

Joe Pyfer dominates Luke Rockhold at RAF 13

Published

9 hours ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

Joe Pyfer dominates Luke Rockhold at RAF 13

Joe Pyfer added another UFC middleweight champion to his resumé.

On Friday, Pyfer took on Luke Rockhold in a prelim wrestling match at RAF 13 at the Watsoc Center in Miami, Fla. While neither man has a huge pedigree in wrestling, Rockhold has competed at RAF before and spent weeks training for this bout, but it didn't end up mattering as “Bodybagz†was simply too much for the former UFC champion.

Known for his physicality in MMA, Pyfer couldn't swing power punches as he does in the cage, but nevertheless brought that power to the RAF mats, quickly dominating the exchanges with Rockhold, who struggled to keep Pyfer from getting body locks at will, which he then used to score takedowns.

Rockhold tried to battle back with a few force-outs, but it was all for naught as he simply couldn't keep up with the younger, more powerful athlete. When Rockhold tried to shoot a double-leg, Pyfer countered, nearly pinning Rockhold outside the circle. Instead, Pyfer amassed too big a lead to overcome, and then forced Rockhold out a few times to get the tech fall.

Rockhold drops to 0-2 on the RAF mat after losing to Colby Covington in his promotional debut.

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MMA

RAF 13 live blog: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns

Published

9 hours ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

RAF 13 live blog: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns

This is the RAF 13 live blog for Khamzat Chimaev vs. Gilbert Burns, who wrestle this Friday at the Watsoc Center in Miami, Fla.

Chimaev got his start in wrestling, winning Swedish nationals three times in his youth. From there, Chimaev moved to MMA, where he became one of the biggest stars in the sport, winning the UFC middleweight title last year, before dropping the belt to Sean Strickland in May. Since then, Chimaev has returned to his wrestling roots, beating both Dillon Danis and Tyron Woodley in RAF, setting up this match with his former MMA foe.

A former UFC welterweight title challenger and world champion BJJ player, Burns was the first man to give Chimaev a hard fight in MMA, losing a competitive decision to “Borz†in 2022. After retiring from MMA in April, Burns is now back to competing in grappling sports and makes his wrestling debut this weekend.

Check out the live blog for Chimaev vs. Burns below.

Chimaev looks significantly bigger than Burns.

Chimaev pressing forward immediately and shoots an early double leg when Burns get to the edge of the circle, scoring a push out. 1-0 Chimaev.

Burns responds with a shot off the whistle, but Chimaev sprawls and shifts to the back, getting a quick two points. Gut wrench from there for back exposure, turning Burns out of the circle. 5-0 Chimaev.

Oh! Burns comes out and powers a double this time, and Chimaev is trying to defend but he's moving backward. Burns keeps driving and gets the takedown! Honestly, Chimaev went to his back outside the ring, so that could've been four, but two points. 5-2 Chimaev.

And Chimaev with a double and quick takedown on the restart, getting two right back as Burns goes out. 7-2 Chimaev

Chimaev with a clean entry on a double-leg, hits the pass by to get the takedown and then another gut wrench for four points. 11-2 Chimaev.

On the restart, neither can gain purchase and the round ends.

Chimaev only needs two and he immediately goes for a low single leg to try and get it, but Burns defends well this time and gets the reversal! Now Burns going for back exposure by going over the top but the ref stops it. 11-4 Chimaev.

Chimaev right after it on the restart and Burns gets snapped down, but ref stops as Chimaev nearly gets a d'arce choke, lol.

On the restart and Chimaev goes from a tie-up to a blast double and gets the takedown, with Burns landing on his back. That should be four points, but Burns' corner challenges. No reason not to, because if it stands, Burns loses. And it stands! Chimaev with the tech fall.

Khamzat Chimaev def. Gilbert Burns via tech fall (15-4)

After the match, Chimaev and Burns hug a lot. Tons of respect between them. Then Chimaev goes to speak with Chael Sonnen.

Chimaev says he's going to L.A. to support Arman Tsarukyan tomorrow. Then he says he's looking to beat Colby to take the title. Then he gives respect to Gilbert Burns, before speaking in Russian, that gets no translator.

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