Tim Elliott ended an extended layoff at UFC 319, where he took on recent flyweight title challenger and former RIZIN champ Kai Asakura to kick off the PPV card in Chicago.
Asakura had found himself submitted by champ Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 last December, and was getting a fellow former title challenger in Elliott.
In the opening half of round one, Asakura found a home for his right hand, tagging Elliott at least once. The offense was mostly one-sided throughout the frame, with Asakura walking Elliott down, and Tim retreating, occasionally countering or throwing a kick. Asakura partially landed with a head kick in the final minute, landing more on the neck, but Elliott caught that on the exit and was able to convert the takedown.
Round two was competitive early, but as the round wore on, Elliott was able to get the fight down. And off his back, Asakura seemed to accept the position, closing his guard. Elliott meanwhile was able to lock up a guillotine, sinking it in deep towards the end of the round. With seconds ticking away, Asakura was either going to survive by the skin of his teeth, for a tap, or Asakura was going out. It certainly didn’t seem like he’d be escaping, and he didn’t. Asakura was forced to tap, and that Elliott his second straight victory, dating back to December of 2023.
Official Result: Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura by submission (guillotine choke), Round 2, 4:39
