ABU DHABI – Tim Elliott takes pride in jumping on any opportunity that the UFC presents him. It hasn’t always worked out for the best, but he said he’s not going to change his ways after beating Ryan Benoit on Wednesday at UFC on ESPN 13.
Elliott (16-11-1 MMA, 5-9 UFC) picked up a unanimous decision victory over Benoit (10-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC) in the flyweight co-main event at Flash Forum at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. It was a competitive fight, but the judges ruled it in his favor, allowing Elliott to snap a three-fight losing skid.
Although it seemed like a do-or-die opportunity coming in, Elliott revealed pre-fight that he’d just signed a new UFC contract for more money and thought the promotion wanted him around due to his willingness to fight in all situations. He thinks he reinforced that notion by competing on pandemic-era fight cards in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, and it’s his goal to keep that reputation alive, even if not always in his best interests.
“(I’m going to) train, keep getting better, sit around by the phone and wait for the UFC to call and take these opportunities,” Elliott told reporters, including MMA Junkie, post-fight at UFC on ESPN 13. “I’m an opportunistic guy. I’m lucky to be part of history when the COVID took over and I got to fight at the Apex and now I’m part of history fighting out here at ‘Fight Island.’ I’m never going to regret the losses that I take, but I knew if I didn’t take these opportunities I would regret that. That’s one way to get the UFC not to like to you is to not answer that call.
“They know when they ring my number I’m going to answer and I’m going to accept whatever they offer. Whatever pay they offer, whatever opponent they offer, whatever location they offer – I’m the guy that’s going to take what he gets and win, lose or draw I’m going to show up and make weight and I’m going to be a professional.”
UFC on ESPN 13 marked the first time since December 2017 that Elliott had his hand raised. It wasn’t a totally smooth night, though. He endured a third-round hand injury that hindered his offense. Moreover, some, including Benoit, think the decision went the wrong way.
Nevertheless, Elliott said he was happy with his performance and felt an absence of pressure that was familiar and comforting.
“I think I got in my element tonight,” Elliott said. “I got back to having fun. I haven’t had this much fun in fighting since the UFC cut me the first time and I got to go in Titan and I had three really good opponents in Titan and I just felt like I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. It was just so much fun.”
