Tim Elliott had volume, Ryan Benoit had power. This time, the judges at UFC Fight Island 1 favored volume as Tim Elliott took home a unanimous decision.
Flyweights Tim Elliott and Ryan Benoit received an unexpected boost in profile ahead of UFC Fight Island 1. The American duo had expected to feature on the preliminary card. But thanks to Frankie Edgar vs. Pedro Munhoz being moved to UFC 252 next month, Elliott vs. Benoit was bumped into the co-main event slot.
Elliott went for a stepping kick that just barely kept Benoit out of range, who went for an overhand right at the same time. Elliott stayed busy with his kicks and landed a left hand. Elliott was staying busy as Benoit was staying patient. Then, Benoit landed a jab followed by a big head kick that Elliott ate. The small strikes kept coming from Elliott. Another head kick landed for Benoit followed by a straight punch. Elliott then went for a takedown, but it was avoided flawlessly by Benoit. A huge hook landed for Benoit, then Elliott went for a single leg takedown, but it was reversed. Elliott got back to his feet and was able to get a takedown before the end of the round.
Early in the round a big body kick landed for Benoit, who then threw him to the canvas without following him to the ground. An overhand left connected for Elliott and Benoit came back with a two punch combination. Elliott ate a big uppercut on his way in, then was taken down by Benoit. Elliott countered with a guillotine and was able to move into a mounted guillotine as Benoit tried to escape. Benoit wiggled out and established a butterfly guard. He then rolled for a kneebar and had it deep, with Elliott yelling out in pain, but not tapping. He was able to somehow escape and stand up.
TOUGHNESS CHECK 😳 #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/YoXorpdTdf
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
In the third round, Elliott tried to make up for the deficit he was facing. He wasn’t just active for the sake of being active, but was effective as well. However, Elliott injured his finger midway through the third round. It didn’t matter to Elliott, as he put his fingers back in and started throwing straight punches and jabs again. Benoit started swinging for the fences late in the fight, but Elliott was able to avoid serious damage.
NON-STOP IN ROUND THREE. #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/bgjVRzSuRJ
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020
Tim Elliott def. Ryan Benoit by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
