42-year-old UFC legend nearing retirement expresses regret over not facing Jung Chan-sung: "I still want to bleed with the Korean Zombie"

*This content was translated by AI.

Darren Elkins, known as "The Damage" (42, USA), who has fought relentlessly in the octagon for 16 years, expressed deep regret over never getting to face the "Korean Zombie," Jung Chan-sung (39).

Elkins will step into the octagon for his final professional fight on the 9th (Korea time) at UFC Fight Night: Gamrot vs. Salkeld in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. In the weigh-in ahead of the bout, both fighters recorded 66kg, completing their featherweight division check-in.

Debuting professionally in 2007 and joining the UFC in 2010, Elkins has been a symbolic veteran of the featherweight division for 16 years. He holds numerous UFC records: most appearances (28), most takedowns (65), longest control time (2 hours, 8 minutes, 26 seconds), and second-most wins (18). His overall professional record stands at 41 fights, 29 wins, and 12 losses (30 UFC fights, 19 wins, 11 losses).

According to the UFC, Elkins officially announced his retirement during media day. He stated, "As I've gotten older, injuries have become more frequent, placing a heavy burden on my body during training. Rather than being released or having news shared via social media, I wanted to hang up my gloves in the octagon and disappear into the sunset."

The only lingering regret for Elkins, who is concluding his 19-year combat sports career, is the unfulfilled fight against the "Korean Zombie," Jung Chan-sung. Both fighters are renowned for their indomitable spirit and relentless forward-moving fighting styles.

Elkins said, "I still want to fight the Korean Zombie. If the two zombies had met, they would have bled together and waged a magnificent war without giving up until the end." He expressed his regret over this missed opportunity.

Regarding his final opponent, promising prospect Yadier Del Valle (10 wins, 1 loss), Elkins stated, "There will be no special treatment for my retirement fight. It will be a brutal war, but I will pour everything into it one last time." Del Valle responded, "It is an honor to step into the octagon with a legend. I am ready to either die or kill as I defend the center of the cage."

Meanwhile, main event fighters Mateusz Gamrot and Kieron Salkeld, along with co-main event fighters Diego Ferreira and Billy Quarantillo, all passed their weigh-ins and are ready for competition.

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*This content was translated by AI.