UFC TUF Finale 24: Demetrious Johnson pushed to the limit but retains flyweight title

He won in a unanimous decision

Demetrious Johnson defeated Tim Elliott (Getty)

Demetrious Johnson is still the UFC flyweight champion following UFC The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale.

This will come as no surprise to most, but perhaps the nature in which the fight was won may have.

Johnson was pushed to the limits by his TUF 24 winning challenger Tim Elliott, but when it was all said and done it was ‘Mighty Mouse’ who had his hand raised.

Prior to last evening’s main event, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson had walked to the octagon and defended his flyweight belt eight times, just two instances short of Anderson Silva’s title defence record.

His ninth defence last evening looked like a formality on paper, but Elliott proved himself to be a game opponent on a night where most thought Johnson’s would win with little trouble.

Tim Elliott, a six-fight veteran of the promotion, entered The Palms with a seven-fight win streak and an opportunity to shock the world. While Elliot didn’t quite pull off the impossible on the night, he certainly pushed Johnson to his limits and gave him plenty to think about.

The challenger’s big opening came in the first round where he looked to sink in a slick guillotine choke. Johnson weathered the storm and proceeded to dominate the rest of the fight, blanketing Elliott and the canvas and laying in relentless ground and pound and submission attempts on the way to a decisive 49-46, 49-46, 49-45.

Despite his dominance, Johnson was forthcoming with praise for Elliott who gave him plenty to think about on the night.

“Tim Elliott is a hell of a fighter,” Johnson son. “It’s like wrestling a damn muskrat. I just had to neutralize him.”

Speaking about the near guillotine choke submission in the first round, Johnson explained how he made referee Herb Dean aware that he was ok.

“I wasn’t going out. I was like, ‘Hey, hey, hey, [referee] Herb [Dean]! Don’t you stop this fight damn it. Here’s my thumbs up,'” Johnson said. “I stayed composed like a champion and just relaxed, and I worked my way out of it.”

Having worked his way out of that predicament, Johnson was as impressive as ever and showcased his wide arsenal of both standup and ground attacks.

In the second round, the persistent movement of Johnson became the story. Mighty Mouse snapped leg kicks to his opponent before ground passing on multiple occasions. Many different positions were utilized on the ground by Johnson. He tried to induce taps via a rear naked choke and kimura but was unable. However, he did administer damage in a mounted crucifix. To Elliott’s credit, he was very pesky on the ground and landed elbows to his opponent’s head.

During the final fifteen minutes, Johnson’s victory was never in doubt. Mighty Mouse landed five takedowns in total and even appeared to be close to finishing the fight by rear naked choke in the fourth round.

Elliott, who had won the TUF 24 series to land the opportunity to face Johnson was humble in defeat.

“I’m just a guy that loves to fight,” Elliott said. “I’m ready to get back to the next one (fight).”

With the victory, Demetrious Johnson increased his winning streak to eleven, just five behind Brazilian Anderson Silva who currently holds the record at 16.

In other action

Joseph Benavidez edged out Henry Cejudo with a split decision victory, while Jake Ellenberger was defeated by Jorge Masvidal after Ellenberger suffered an injury in the first round.

Four ‘Performance of The Night’ bonuses were awarded to Jamie Moyle, Sara McMann, Jared Cannonier and Anthony Smith who all also picked up big wins.

UFC TUF Finale 24 Results:

Demetrious Johnson def. Tim Elliott via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)

Joseph Benavidez def. Henry Cejudo via split decision (27-29, 30-26, 29-27)

Jorge Masvidal def. Jake Ellenberger via TKO (punches), Round 1, 4:05

Jared Cannonier def. Ion Cutelaba via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Sara McMann def. Alexis Davis via submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 2:52

Brandon Moreno def. Ryan Benoit via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Ryan Hall def. Gray Maynard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Rob Font def. Matt Schnell via TKO (knee, punches), Round 1, 3:47

“Maestro” Dong Hyun Kim def. Brendan O’Reilly via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jamie Moyle def. Kailin Curran via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Anthony Smith def. Elvis Mutapcic via TKO (elbow, punches), Round 2, 3:27

Devin Clark def. Josh Stansbury via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)