For UFC flyweight Tim Elliott, who moonlights as a bantamweight in a short-notice fight with Su Mudaerji this weekend, taking a fight last minute has a silver lining.
“Having a long camp is scary, you have a lot of time to get hurt. So having no time to really get injured or anything is nice,” Elliott said during this week’s UFC Vegas 83 media day.
When it comes to decisions like taking a fight short notice, Elliott puts his faith in his management team. “They’ve always steered me in the right direction. I wouldn’t be here, I wouldn’t have this job if it wasn’t for them.”
“Also, they gave me 10 pounds, so easy weight cut. Good fight,” added Elliott. “We were supposed to fight once before, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Notoriously, Elliott sponsored Tony Soto for his BKFC fight against Kevin Croom recently. Croom was the third wheel in the break-up of Elliott’s relationship with fellow UFC fighter Gina Mazany, a situation Elliott went public about earlier this year. Worse, the affair allegedly happened on Elliott’s wedding night.
It was obviously personal, but Elliott noted he would have sponsored Soto even if the bare-knuckle fighter hadn’t put him on his advertising banner.
“I know what it’s like to have to dig for sponsors. I’m just now making money in the UFC, I’ve been at this game a long time and I’m finally making good money,” stated Elliott. “So I know what it’s like to pinch pennies and have to sleep on people’s couches and work while you’re trying to train. It’s not easy.”
It all worked out in the end, as Soto lit up Croom across five rounds, winning a unanimous decision at BKFC 52 this past October. As for Elliott just now making good money with the company, he’s on his second stint with the promotion — and enters his 20th fight under the UFC banner this Saturday.
Watch the full UFC Vegas 83 media day appearance by flyweight-turned-bantamweight Tim Elliott above.
