Demetrious Johnson Retains Title Against Tough Tim Elliot
The main event of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 24 Finale featured a flyweight title bout between TUF season 24 winner Tim Elliot (13-7-1) and champion Demetrious Johnson (25-2-1). The title fight went down inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
As expected, “Mighty Mouse” retained his title. What may have not be anticipated was the heart of Elliot who had his moments in the fight and didn’t make things easy for the No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world.
Johnson fired away at the start with a leg kick. Elliot moved forward with strikes, but was quickly taken down. Johnson moved for an arm bar, but Elliot got in top control. “””Mighty Mouse” was in a guillotine position, which Elliot turned into a D’Arce choke. The champion gave referee Herb Dean a thumbs up. He got out and landed a head kick. Elliot was taken down, but returned to his feet. The challenger looked exhausted. He landed a left hook and Johnson went for a takedown afterwards. Elliot took the champion down. The round ended and it clearly went to Elliot.
Johnson nailed the challenger with a right hand about 30 seconds into the second round. Elliot moved in with a combination, but he was taken down. The champion moved to the back of Elliot and went for a rear-naked choke. Elliot improved his position and Johnson settled for side control. The champion temporarily got a crucifix and landed some punches. Elliot got back up, but Johnson maintained control. Elliot ended the round in top control, but couldn’t do anything with the time he had.
The pressure from Johnson sent Elliot to the mat early in the third frame. The challenger scrambled and earned top control. The champion tried to get back up, but was dumped back down. Johnson ate some strikes while trying to get a takedown, but he achieved it. “”Mighty Mouse” landed some punches from half guard. Elliot went for a triangle, but Johnson put a stop to that. The challenger gave the champion all he could handle off his back as the round came to a close.
The fourth round got underway and Elliot was taken down under a minute in. He moved to side control. Again, Johnson moved to the back. This time he was the closest he had been to getting both hooks in. Elliot was still able to escape. “Mighty Mouse” rained down punches with Elliot’s arms trapped. Johnson went for a kimura, but turned it into an arm bar attempt. Elliot somehow escaped near the end of the round.
The final round began and Elliot threw some side kicks. He stuffed a takedown. He shot in and took down the champion. “Mighty Mouse” reversed the position and went to side control. Elliot went for an arm submission with about a minute left, but Johnson reversed and went for his own arm bar. The attempt was thwarted, but the champion remained on top.
The final horn sounded and the result was clear, but the challenger certainly earned the respect of mixed martial arts fans all over.
Final Result: Demetrious Johnson (c) def. Tim Elliot via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
