Tim Elliott
Tim Elliott is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[1] Born on December 24, 1986, in Wichita, Kansas, he is renowned for his strong wrestling base, unorthodox striking techniques, and resilience in high-stakes bouts, holding a professional record of 22 wins, 13 losses, and 1 draw, ranked #9 in the UFC flyweight division as of November 2025.[2][3] Elliott's athletic foundation stems from his high school wrestling career at Wichita South High School, where he captured the Kansas state championship in 2005.[4] He advanced to collegiate wrestling, competing at Labette Community College before transferring to the University of Central Oklahoma, where he earned All-American honors in 2008 and 2009.[5] Transitioning to mixed martial arts in 2009, Elliott quickly built a 9–2–1 record on the regional circuit, including a knockout victory over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver, before earning a UFC contract in 2012.[2] In his UFC debut at UFC on Fox 3 against The Ultimate Fighter Season 14 winner John Dodson, Elliott lost a unanimous decision but gained attention for his flashy style, including an attempted cartwheel kick despite a severely swollen eye.[4] Following a 2–3 stint that led to his release, he captured the Titan FC flyweight title in 2016 with a submission win over Pedro Nobre.[6] Elliott re-entered the UFC through Season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2016, dominating the flyweight tournament with victories over Charlie Suiss, Elias Garcia, and Hiromasa Ougikubo in the finale to claim the season's winning honors.[2] This success propelled him straight into a UFC flyweight title challenge against champion Demetrious Johnson at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, where he fell short via unanimous decision after a competitive five-round effort that tested the dominant titleholder.[7] Reinstated in the UFC roster, Elliott has since compiled an 11–10 divisional record, marked by submission victories such as his arm-triangle choke over Sumudaerji at UFC Fight Night 233 in December 2023 and another submission finish against Kai Asakura at UFC 319 in August 2025, contributing to his current two-fight winning streak.[1][3] Throughout his career, Elliott has finished 8 of his 22 wins by submission, leveraging his grappling expertise, while his entertaining, high-volume approach has solidified his status as a perennial contender in the 125-pound class.[2]Early life and background
Childhood and family
Tim Elliott was born on December 24, 1986, in Wichita, Kansas.[8] Elliott's family supported his athletic pursuits, including his father who advised on his training routines.[9] This foundation led to his transition to structured wrestling in high school.Wrestling and amateur pursuits
Tim Elliott developed his foundational athletic skills through a distinguished wrestling career that began in high school. Initially attending Campus High School in Wichita, Kansas, he transferred to Wichita South High School, where he excelled and captured the Kansas state wrestling championship in the 125-pound weight class as a senior in 2005.[10] Elliott continued his wrestling pursuits at the collegiate level, first at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas. There, he achieved significant success, earning All-American honors and winning the NJCAA national title at 125 pounds in 2007 during his sophomore season.[11] He then transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, where he competed for the NCAA Division II Bronchos and secured two-time All-American status, placing second at 125 pounds in 2008 and fourth in 2009.[11] These accomplishments highlighted his technical grappling prowess and competitive drive, which became central to his later combat sports endeavors. Prior to turning professional in mixed martial arts in 2009, Elliott was influenced by UFC fighter Terry Etim, who visited Labette's training facilities and introduced him to the sport through fight footage and personal encouragement.[10] This early exposure, combined with his wrestling background, emphasized grappling techniques and positioned him for a seamless transition to professional competition, where he focused on integrating takedowns and ground control into his fighting style.[4]Professional MMA career
Early professional fights (2009–2011)
Tim Elliott turned professional in 2009, making his debut on May 8 against Jerod Spoon at a regional event in the Midwest, where the bout ended in a draw after three rounds.[12] His initial foray into professional MMA was marked by challenges, as he suffered a submission loss (triangle choke) to Shane Howell on June 27 and a TKO (punches) loss to Jacky Bryant on August 28, both in Kansas-based promotions.[13] These early defeats highlighted the transition from his amateur wrestling success to the demands of professional mixed martial arts, but they also fueled adjustments in his training.[14] Elliott began to find his footing late in 2009 with a dominant knockout victory over Victor Veloquio at Bellator Brawl 3: Holiday Havoc on December 11, landing punches just 33 seconds into the first round to secure his first professional win.[2] Building on this momentum in 2010, he competed in regional circuits across Kansas and Missouri, including the Oklahoma Fighting Championship and C3 Fights, where he submitted Michael Casteel via rear-naked choke in the first round on April 2 and defeated Cody Fuller via submission (triangle choke) in the third round on June 25.[13] Later that year, on October 22, he earned a unanimous decision over Victor Dominguez at C3 Fights: Slammin Jammin Weekend 6, extending his win streak and demonstrating improved striking and grappling integration.[2] In 2011, Elliott continued his ascent in Midwest promotions, starting with a first-round TKO via punches against John McDowell at Art of War Cage Fights on February 26.[2] He followed with a quick submission win over Kashiff Solarin at Cowboy MMA: Caged Cowboys on May 21, showcasing his ground control rooted in his collegiate wrestling pedigree. The pinnacle of this phase came on December 16 at Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) 1, where he upset former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver, knocking him out with a knee at 2:12 of the second round and improving his record to 7-2-1.[15][16] Throughout these years, Elliott trained primarily at GrindHouse MMA in Lee's Summit, Missouri, refining his flyweight technique with an emphasis on relentless pressure, unorthodox movement, and submission chains that capitalized on his wrestling base for top control.[9] This period solidified his reputation in regional scenes, blending endurance-driven pacing with opportunistic finishes against varied opponents.[17]UFC entry and initial stint (2012–2014)
Elliott signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in April 2012 following an undefeated streak in regional promotions. Prior to his UFC debut, on March 30, 2012, at RFA 2, he defeated Josh Rave via technical submission (anaconda choke) in the first round at 0:28, improving his record to 8-2-1.[13] He made his promotional debut on short notice against The Ultimate Fighter 14 winner John Dodson at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5, 2012, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, filling in for an injured Darren Uyenoyama. Despite a competitive back-and-forth affair marked by Elliott's aggressive wrestling and Dodson's explosive striking, Elliott lost via unanimous decision with scores of 29-28 across the board, dropping his professional record to 8-3-1.[18][19] Elliott rebounded in his next outing against Jared Papazian at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale on December 15, 2012, in Las Vegas, where he delivered a one-sided performance, outstriking his opponent 189-46 en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory (30-25, 30-25, 30-26). This win propelled him into 2013, where he faced Louis Gaudinot at UFC 164 on August 31, 2013, in Milwaukee. Elliott controlled the fight with superior grappling and volume striking, securing another unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) to improve his UFC record to 2-1. However, momentum stalled against Dagestani contender Ali Bagautinov at UFC Fight Night 31 on November 16, 2013, in Las Vegas, as Bagautinov's pressure and takedown defense led to a unanimous decision loss for Elliott (30-27 x3).[20][21][13] Elliott's 2014 campaign began with a high-profile matchup against former title challenger Joseph Benavidez at UFC 172 on April 26, 2014, in Baltimore, positioned as a potential flyweight title eliminator bout. Despite starting strong with takedown attempts, Elliott was caught in a modified guillotine choke at 4:16 of the first round, suffering his second consecutive defeat and falling to 2-3 in the UFC. The loss highlighted challenges against elite grapplers in the division. Following this setback, Elliott was scheduled to face Wilson Reis at UFC Fight Night 49 on August 23, 2014, but withdrew due to injury; he returned briefly for one more fight in February 2015 before the UFC released him that summer amid a three-fight losing skid, citing organizational roster decisions as the primary reason.[22][23][24]Titan FC tenure and title win (2014–2016)
Following his release from the UFC in early 2015 after a unanimous decision loss to Zach Makovsky, Tim Elliott signed with Titan Fighting Championships, seeking to rebuild his career in a prominent regional promotion.[13][25] His debut came on July 18, 2015, at Titan FC 34 in Kansas City, Missouri, where he challenged Iliarde Santos for the inaugural flyweight championship in a five-round main event. Elliott, leveraging his elite wrestling background, controlled the fight with persistent takedowns and top control, outstriking Santos 78-45 in significant strikes while avoiding damage on the feet. He secured the unanimous decision victory (49-46, 48-47 x2), claiming the title and extending his win streak outside the UFC.[2] Elliott made his first title defense just two months later at Titan FC 35 on September 19, 2015, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, against Felipe Efrain. The bout showcased Elliott's submission grappling, as he dragged Efrain to the mat early and dominated from mount, transitioning seamlessly into attacks. In the second round, Elliott locked in a guillotine choke at 2:30, forcing the tap and retaining the flyweight strap in emphatic fashion.[26] This victory highlighted his ground dominance, with Efrain unable to mount meaningful offense despite a brief striking flurry in the first round.[2] Elliott's second defense occurred at Titan FC 37 on March 4, 2016, in Coral Gables, Florida, against the undefeated Pedro Nobre, a former UFC veteran moving down to flyweight.[27] True to form, Elliott imposed his wrestling early, securing multiple takedowns and controlling over 70% of the fight time on the ground across five rounds. Nobre, known for his striking, landed some counters but couldn't escape Elliott's pressure, leading to another unanimous decision win for the champion (50-45, 49-46 x2).[28][2] Over his 3-0 run in Titan FC, Elliott demonstrated grappling supremacy, averaging 4.5 takedowns per 15 minutes while finishing one opponent and decisioning two in title bouts, solidifying his status as a top flyweight outside the major leagues.[29][30]The Ultimate Fighter 24 (2016)
Tim Elliott entered The Ultimate Fighter season 24 as the No. 3 seed, having qualified through his status as the reigning Titan FC flyweight champion, a title he captured earlier that year. The season featured a unique tournament format with 14 international flyweight titleholders from other promotions competing for a UFC contract. Elliott was the first fighter selected by coach Joseph Benavidez, a former opponent and fellow Team Alpha Male member, highlighting his pedigree as a top contender despite a prior UFC release in 2015.[31] In the opening round exhibition bout, Elliott quickly dispatched Charlie Alaniz of Team Cejudo via first-round guillotine choke submission at 3:18, showcasing his grappling prowess. Advancing to the quarterfinals, he secured another quick finish against Matt Schnell, also of Team Cejudo, with a rear-naked choke in the first round at 3:26. These victories demonstrated Elliott's ability to impose his wrestling and submission skills early in fights.[2] Elliott's semifinal exhibition pitted him against Eric Shelton of Team Benavidez in a hard-fought unanimous decision win (20-18 x3) after two rounds, where he controlled the pace with takedowns and ground control despite Shelton's resilience. In the tournament final, he outpointed Hiromasa Ogikubo via unanimous decision (20-18 x3), relying on superior cardio and striking volume to claim the season's top prize and a title shot. His undefeated 4-0 exhibition record in TUF 24 underscored his adaptability in the high-stakes environment.[2] Behind the scenes, Elliott initially hesitated about joining the reality show due to its demanding format and potential distractions, but he embraced the opportunity to refine his game under Benavidez's guidance. Training sessions emphasized integrating more striking defense and footwork inspired by former champion Dominick Cruz, while sparring with international contenders like Ogikubo sharpened his pressure fighting style. Elliott later credited the experience with boosting his confidence and exposing him to diverse techniques, though he found the house dynamics and weight cuts particularly grueling.[24][31] At The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale on December 3, 2016, in Las Vegas, Elliott challenged UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson but fell short via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45) after five rounds. Despite landing more strikes overall (116-95), Elliott struggled against Johnson's takedown defense and precise counters, though he won the first round on the scorecards and pushed the pace throughout. The bout earned Fight of the Night honors, marking Elliott's resilient return to the UFC roster.[7][32]UFC return and mid-career bouts (2016–2020)
Following his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter 24, where he won the final against Hiromasa Ogikubo, Tim Elliott earned a UFC contract and immediately challenged flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson for the title at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale on December 3, 2016. Despite a competitive performance marked by Elliott's relentless wrestling pressure, Johnson dominated with superior striking and control, securing a unanimous decision victory after five rounds. The loss highlighted Elliott's durability but did not derail his UFC tenure, as he received a new multi-fight contract based on his entertaining style and effort against the elite champion. Elliott rebounded with a strong performance against Louis Smolka at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis on April 15, 2017, where he outwrestled the Hawaiian fighter for three rounds to claim a unanimous decision win, improving his UFC record to 3-5 overall. However, his momentum stalled in a controversial split decision loss to Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt on June 10, 2017, a bout criticized for the judges' scoring amid Elliott's aggressive takedown attempts and Nguyen's effective counters. Later that year, at UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm on December 30, 2017, Elliott submitted Mark De La Rosa via anaconda choke in the second round, showcasing his grappling prowess in a quick turnaround victory that boosted his standing in the division. After a year-long layoff in 2018 due to minor injuries and matchmaking issues, Elliott returned to face rising prospect Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson on October 12, 2019. The fight ended abruptly when Figueiredo caught Elliott in a guillotine choke at 3:08 of the first round, a submission loss that stalled Elliott's momentum and kept him outside the top 10 rankings. Elliott's mid-career stretch continued with back-to-back decision losses in 2020: a unanimous defeat to Askar Askarov at UFC 246 on January 18, where the Russian's grappling overwhelmed him over three rounds, and a second-round armbar submission to Brandon Royval at UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns on May 30. Despite the setbacks, Elliott closed the period with a unanimous decision win over Ryan Benoit at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige on July 16, 2020, using his trademark wrestling to control the fight and outpoint the newcomer. Over these four years, Elliott compiled a 3-4 UFC record, marked by his high-volume style and willingness to engage in wars, which endeared him to fans even in defeat and solidified his reputation as a resilient gatekeeper in the flyweight division.[13]Recent UFC fights and rankings (2021–2025)
Elliott opened 2021 with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Jordan Espinosa at UFC 259 on March 6, defeating the local fighter in a lopsided bout marked by prolonged ground control and controversial in-fight exchanges. Later that year, he dropped a unanimous decision to Matheus Nicolau at UFC Fight Night 194 on October 23, where Nicolau's superior striking volume edged out Elliott's grappling attempts over three rounds. In early 2022, Elliott rebounded with a first-round rear-naked choke submission of Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC 272 on March 5, showcasing his wrestling pedigree to halt Ulanbekov's undefeated streak and earn a Performance of the Night bonus. Following a year-long layoff, he notched another win in 2023, taking a unanimous decision over Victor Altamirano at UFC on ESPN on June 3 in a gritty flyweight clash that highlighted Elliott's resilience in trading strikes and reversals on the mat. Elliott's momentum stalled in October 2023 at UFC 294 on October 21, where he succumbed to a third-round arm-triangle choke submission by unbeaten prospect Muhammad Mokaev, marking a setback after Elliott had controlled early grappling exchanges.[33] He quickly recovered later that year, stepping in on short notice at UFC Fight Night 233 on December 9 to submit Su Mudaerji via first-round arm-triangle choke, a finish that bloodied the Chinese striker and demonstrated Elliott's opportunistic ground game against a higher-ranked opponent.[34] After over a year away from the Octagon, Elliott returned triumphantly at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, pulling off an upset by locking in a second-round guillotine choke on Japanese star Kai Asakura, forcing the tap at 4:39 and silencing doubters with a high-profile finish in Chicago.[35] This performance vaulted him into the UFC flyweight top 10 at No. 9 as of November 2025, updating his Octagon record to 10 wins against 11 losses amid a career resurgence built on submission expertise and veteran savvy.[36]Fighting style
Key techniques and strengths
Tim Elliott's fighting style is fundamentally rooted in his wrestling background, where he developed a strong foundation in takedowns and ground control during his amateur career as a two-time NCAA Division II All-American.[5] This base enables him to chain takedowns effectively, averaging 3.71 takedowns per 15 minutes in the UFC with a 47% accuracy rate, often transitioning seamlessly into dominant positions for control time.[3] His grappling prowess is highlighted by eight career submission victories, including chokes like the guillotine and arm-triangle, which account for 38% of his total wins.[2] In striking, Elliott employs unorthodox and chaotic techniques that disrupt opponents' rhythm, featuring wild punches, spinning attacks, and constant stance switches to create unpredictable angles.[37] He maintains a high-volume output at 3.37 significant strikes landed per minute with 44% accuracy, absorbing just 2.65 per minute while defending 57% of incoming strikes.[3] His clinch work stands out, where he blends power strikes like elbows and knees with wrestling ties to wear down foes, contributing to three knockout wins that represent 14% of his victories.[1] This relentless pace forces scrappy exchanges, making him particularly effective in prolonged clinches.[25] Over time, Elliott has adapted his style with enhanced cardiovascular conditioning, allowing him to sustain his aggressive approach through five-round bouts without fading.[14] This improvement in cardio, honed through specialized training, complements his submission attempts (1.1 per 15 minutes) and takedown defense (59%), enabling better transitions and endurance in high-pressure scenarios.[3]Evolution and notable matches
Elliott's early professional career heavily relied on his collegiate wrestling background, where he secured numerous victories through takedowns and control, often resulting in decisions rather than finishes.[38] Following his participation in The Ultimate Fighter 24 in 2016, he began incorporating more Brazilian jiu-jitsu submissions into his arsenal, earning five submission wins in the UFC, including a rear-naked choke against Ben Nguyen in 2017.[6][3] Following a submission defeat to Henry Cejudo in 2018 and a guillotine choke loss to Deiveson Figueiredo in 2019, Elliott shifted toward a more aggressive striking approach to complement his grappling, aiming to disrupt opponents early. This evolution was evident in his 2019 bout against Deiveson Figueiredo, where he utilized awkward angles and unorthodox movements to land strikes while attempting takedowns, though he ultimately succumbed to a guillotine choke.[2][39] In the 2020s, Elliott refined his hybrid style further, blending improved ground-and-pound with submission threats to climb the flyweight rankings, as demonstrated in his competitive performance against Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 294 in 2023, where he mounted counter-offense including heavy ground strikes despite the submission loss.[40] This progression continued with his guillotine choke submission victory over Kai Asakura at UFC 319 in August 2025. Over his career, this progression is reflected in his statistics: early UFC fights (2012–2016) featured predominantly decisions (4 wins, 3 losses), transitioning to a higher finish rate later (5 submission finishes in 16 UFC bouts from 2017–2025).[3][2]Personal life
Family and relationships
Tim Elliott was previously married to Gina Mazany, a fellow professional mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC women's bantamweight division. The couple's relationship became public amid Elliott's MMA career, but they divorced in 2023 after Elliott publicly alleged infidelity by Mazany with his former training partner Kevin Croom, beginning on their wedding night and continuing throughout the marriage.[41][42][43] Elliott is a father to a daughter named Sterling from a prior relationship, born circa 2015. He has described the divorce as particularly challenging for Sterling, who was eight years old at the time, and has expressed guilt over its emotional impact on her, motivating him to prioritize being a better parent.[43][42][44] Throughout his career, Elliott has highlighted the demands of frequent travel and training camps as straining his family time, particularly separations from his daughter, which he has called "difficult" but necessary for long-term stability. His move to the Kansas City area in Missouri to train at Glory MMA & Fitness allows him to balance professional commitments with fatherhood, given its proximity to family. Family has served as a key motivator, with Elliott stating that resolving personal turmoil was essential "for myself and I had to change for my daughter" to avoid negative outcomes and maintain his role as a provider.[45][46]Interests outside MMA
Tim Elliott is recognized for his unfiltered and humorous personality on social media platforms like Instagram (@awkward_mma) and X (@TElliott125), where he frequently shares candid, lighthearted content about his personal life and family. His posts often reflect a self-deprecating humor that endears him to fans, blending everyday moments with his distinctive "awkward" style that has become synonymous with his public persona. In May 2023, Elliott openly addressed his divorce from fellow UFC fighter Gina Mazany via a now-deleted tweet, later explaining in an interview that he chose transparency to support others navigating similar emotional challenges, highlighting his willingness to discuss vulnerabilities publicly.[42] This approach underscores his unscripted engagement with followers, often mixing humor with raw honesty to foster connection beyond the octagon. Elliott contributes to the local MMA community as head coach of Glory Wrestling Club in Lee's Summit, Missouri, where he coaches youth wrestling programs and hosts seminars in Kansas and Missouri, drawing on his high school wrestling background to mentor aspiring fighters. These efforts reflect his commitment to grassroots development in the sport.[47] As of 2025, Elliott expresses no immediate post-retirement plans, stating after his August victory at UFC 319 that he intends to continue competing as long as he enjoys it and remains competitive.[48]Championships and accomplishments
Professional titles
Tim Elliott captured his first major professional title in mixed martial arts by defeating Iliarde Santos via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) on July 18, 2015, at Titan FC 34 in Kansas City, Missouri, to win the inaugural Titan FC Flyweight Championship.[49] This victory marked a significant rebound for Elliott following his release from the UFC earlier that year, showcasing his wrestling-based grappling and cardio in a dominant five-round performance against the experienced Brazilian Santos, who entered with a 28-9 record.[2] Elliott made his first title defense just two months later at Titan FC 35 on September 19, 2015, in Coral Gables, Florida, submitting Felipe Efrain with a guillotine choke at 2:30 of the second round.[50] The quick turnaround highlighted Elliott's aggressive style and submission expertise, as he transitioned from takedowns to the choke after weathering early striking exchanges, solidifying his status as a top flyweight outside the UFC.[2] He successfully defended the belt for a second time at Titan FC 37 on March 4, 2016, in Kansas City, Kansas, earning a unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) over Pedro Nobre in another five-round bout.[2] This win demonstrated Elliott's endurance and control, outwrestling the undefeated Brazilian challenger over the distance and paving the way for his return to the UFC through The Ultimate Fighter.[27] Elliott vacated the Titan FC title upon rejoining the UFC later that year. Throughout his pre-UFC career in regional promotions from 2009 to 2011, Elliott did not secure any championships, compiling an 8-2-1 record without title bouts noted in those circuits.[2] He has not won any titles in the UFC, though his victory on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 in 2016 earned him a flyweight title shot against Demetrious Johnson, which he lost by unanimous decision in December 2016.Awards and rankings
Tim Elliott entered the UFC flyweight rankings in 2016 following his stint on The Ultimate Fighter Season 24, initially fluctuating between unranked and the lower top 15 positions through the late 2010s and early 2020s due to a mix of wins and losses.[1] His ranking improved steadily after a 2023 submission victory over Su Mudaerji on short notice at UFC Fight Night 233, propelling him into the top 15, and he maintained contention with subsequent performances.[3] Elliott peaked at No. 10 in the UFC flyweight division immediately after his upset submission win over Kai Asakura at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025, marking his highest placement to date.[51] As of November 4, 2025, he holds the No. 11 spot following the latest UFC rankings update.[36] Elliott has earned multiple UFC post-fight bonuses throughout his career, highlighting his exciting and finish-oriented style. He received Performance of the Night awards for his first-round arm-triangle submission of Su Mudaerji at UFC Fight Night 233 on December 9, 2023, and for his second-round guillotine choke against Kai Asakura at UFC 319, each netting $50,000.[52][53] An earlier Performance bonus came in 2017 for submitting Mark De La Rosa at UFC 219, also worth $50,000 and notable for its emotional context after personal hardships.[54] These accolades, combined with his prior Titan FC Flyweight Championship win in 2015, underscore his resilience and ability to deliver high-impact performances that boost his divisional standing.[2] In media recognitions, Elliott was named Combat Press's 2016 Comeback Fighter of the Year for his resurgence after early career setbacks, including a three-fight skid.[55] Additionally, his 2017 bout against Louis Smolka ranked No. 6 on UFC.com's Fight of the Year list, praised for its back-and-forth intensity. These honors reflect his reputation as one of the division's most entertaining competitors, often highlighted in fan discussions for his unorthodox, high-pressure approach. Elliott's professional recognition traces back to a strong amateur foundation in wrestling, where he earned two-time All-American status at the University of Central Oklahoma and captured the Kansas state championship in 2005 at Wichita South High School.[5][56] These achievements provided the grappling base that has contributed to his UFC success and bonus-winning finishes.Mixed martial arts record
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 21–13–1 | Kai Asakura | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 319: Du Plessis vs. Chimaev | August 16, 2025 | 2 | 4:39 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 20–13–1 | Su Mudaerji | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutierrez | December 9, 2023 | 1 | 4:02 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 19–13–1 | Muhammad Mokaev | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 294: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski 2 | October 21, 2023 | 3 | 3:03 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 19–12–1 | Victor Altamirano | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi | June 3, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–12–1 | Tagir Ulanbekov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 272: Covington vs. Masvidal | March 5, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 17–12–1 | Matheus Nicolau | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez | October 9, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–11–1 | Jordan Espinosa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 259: Błachowicz vs. Adesanya | March 6, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–11–1 | Ryan Benoit | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige | July 15, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 15–11–1 | Brandon Royval | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC on ESPN: Woodley vs. Burns | May 30, 2020 | 2 | 3:18 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–10–1 | Askar Askarov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 246: McGregor vs. Cerrone | January 18, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 15–9–1 | Deiveson Figueiredo | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson | October 12, 2019 | 1 | 3:08 | Singapore | |
| Win | 15–8–1 | Mark De La Rosa | Submission (anaconda choke) | UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm | December 30, 2017 | 2 | 1:41 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 14–8–1 | Ben Nguyen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt | June 10, 2017 | 1 | 0:49 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Win | 14–7–1 | Louis Smolka | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis | April 15, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 13–7–1 | Demetrious Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale | December 3, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Flyweight title bout. |
| Win | 13–6–1 | Pedro Nobre | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 37: Simon vs. Dos Santos | March 4, 2016 | 5 | 5:00 | Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States | Won the Titan FC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–6–1 | Felipe Efrain | Submission (guillotine choke) | Titan FC 35: Healy vs. Hawn | September 19, 2015 | 2 | 2:30 | Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 11–6–1 | Iliarde Santos | Decision (unanimous) | Titan FC 34: Healy vs. Edwards | July 18, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Loss | 10–6–1 | Zach Makovsky | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch | February 14, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Loss | 10–5–1 | Joseph Benavidez | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira | April 26, 2014 | 1 | 4:08 | Baltimore, Maryland, United States | |
| Loss | 10–4–1 | Ali Bagautinov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks | November 16, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–3–1 | Louis Gaudinot | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis 2 | August 31, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Win | 9–3–1 | Jared Papazian | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson Finale | December 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3–1 | John Dodson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller | May 5, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States | UFC debut. |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Josh Rave | Technical Submission (brabo choke) | RFA 2: Yvel vs. Alexander | March 30, 2012 | 1 | 0:28 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 7–2–1 | Jens Pulver | KO (knee) | RFA 1: Elliott vs. Pulver | December 16, 2011 | 2 | 2:12 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 6–2–1 | Kashiff Solarin | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cowboy MMA: Caged Cowboys | May 21, 2011 | 1 | 0:57 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 5–2–1 | John McDowell | TKO (punches) | AOWCF: Art of War Cage Fights | February 26, 2011 | 1 | 2:56 | Enid, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 4–2–1 | Victor Dominguez | Decision (unanimous) | C3 Fights: Slammin Jammin Weekend 6 | October 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 3–2–1 | Cody Fuller | Submission (triangle choke) | BB: Bricktown Brawl 5 | June 25, 2010 | 3 | 2:34 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 2–2–1 | Michael Casteel | Submission (rear-naked choke) | BB: Bricktown Brawl 4 | April 2, 2010 | 1 | 2:01 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 1–2–1 | Victor Veloquio | KO (punches) | BB 3: Holiday Havoc | December 11, 2009 | 1 | 0:33 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 0–2–1 | Jacky Brandon Bryant | TKO (punches) | BB: Bricktown Brawl 2 | August 28, 2009 | 1 | 0:52 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 0–1–1 | Shane Howell | Submission (triangle choke) | HFN: Harrah Fight Night | June 27, 2009 | 3 | 2:25 | Harrah, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Draw | 0–0–1 | Jerod Spoon | Draw | BB: Bricktown Brawl 1 | May 8, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States |