Elliott was born on December 24, 1986, in Arkansas City, Kansas.[1] When he was in fourth grade, Elliott moved with his father to Haysville, Kansas, where he started wrestling.[1] Elliott originally attended Campus High School where he was a state wrestling runner-up, but transferred to Wichita South High School during his junior year. Elliott then became a state champion at Wichita South his senior year in 2005.[11] Elliott was on the wrestling team at Labette Community College before transferring to the University of Central Oklahoma earning All-American honors, placing every year during his collegiate wrestling career and becoming the NJCAA wrestling national champion in 2007.[1][12] He earned a bachelor's degree in Science and General Studies.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Elliott compiled a record of 8–2–1 in his first 11 fights before signing with the UFC, including a notable KO victory over former UFC Lightweight ChampionJens Pulver.
For his third fight, Elliott faced Louis Gaudinot on August 31, 2013, at UFC 164.[19] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]
Elliott fought Ali Bagautinov at UFC 167 on November 16, 2013.[21] The bout marked his first appearance on the main card of a pay-per-view event in the fight. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[22]
Elliott was expected to face Wilson Reis on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49.[25] However, Elliott pulled out of the bout in the days leading up to the event.[26]
Elliott faced Zach Makovsky on February 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 60.[27] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Following the fight, he was released from the organization.[28]
For his first title defense, Elliott faced undefeated prospect and promotional newcomer Felipe Efrain at Titan FC 35 on September 19, 2015.[31] He won the fight by submission in the second round.
Elliott next faced former UFC Bantamweight Pedro Nobre at Titan FC 37 on March 5, 2016. He won the fight by unanimous decision for his second successful title defense.[32]
The Ultimate Fighter
On July 21, 2016, Elliott was announced as a cast member on the 24th season of The Ultimate Fighter. The winner of the show, won a chance to fight Demetrious Johnson for the UFC Flyweight Championship.[33] Despite being ranked as the number 3 seed, Elliott was selected as the first overall pick by former opponent Joseph Benavidez.[34]
In his first fight, Elliott faced 14th ranked 'Team Cejudo' fighter Charlie Alaniz. He submitted Aniz in the first round by bulldog choke.[35] In the quarterfinals, Elliott faced 6th ranked 'Team Cejudo' fighter and former Caged contestant Matt Schnell. Despite being struck with a devastating groin kick in the opening moments of the bout, he was able to recover and submit Schnell in the first round by front choke.[36] In the semifinals, Elliott faced 15th ranked 'Team Benavidez' teammate Eric Shelton. After two competitive rounds, Elliott was declared the winner by majority decision.[37] Elliott fought 5th ranked 'Team Benavidez' teammate Hiromasa Ougikubo in the final round. Elliott won the fight by unanimous decision 30–27 to win the tournament.[38]
Elliott faced Louis Smolka on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Reis.[41] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[42] The win earned Elliott his second Fight of the Night bonus award, and his first since returning the organization.[43]
Elliott faced Ben Nguyen on June 10, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 110.[44] He was submitted with a rear-naked choke in the opening minute of the first round.[45]
Elliott was expected to face Justin Scoggins on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox 26.[46] However, Scoggins pulled out of the bout in early December citing a back injury and was replaced by Pietro Menga.[47] The bout was cancelled as Menga failed to show to the weigh in because he did not make weight.[48] Elliott was offered the fight at catchweight at 131 pounds, which would have given him 10% of Menga's fight purse, but he declined.[49]
After the fight against Menga was cancelled, the UFC offered Elliott a fight at UFC 219, which Elliott only accepted under the condition he fights somebody who has never missed weight and has never backed out of a fight at the last minute.[50] Elliott fought promotional newcomer Mark De La Rosa at bantamweight.[51] He won in the second round by submission via an anaconda choke. After the fight, he dedicated the win to his coach, Robert Follis, who died earlier in the month.[52] For the fight, Elliott won a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, his first performance of the night bonus and third fight bonus in the UFC overall.[53]
Elliott tore his ACL in June 2018. He underwent successful surgery on it on June 14. He stated at the time that he expected miss at least a year before he could fight again.[54]
Elliott fought Ryan Benoit on July 16, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Ige.[63] He won the fight by unanimous decision, securing his first win since 2017. Prior to the fight, he had signed a new four-fight contract with the promotion.[64] On August 3, 2020, it was reported that Elliott had tested positive for marijuana after the fight and is facing a suspension.[65] Later that day, he posted to his Twitter blaming the positive test on taking the fight on short notice.[66] Elliott was suspended four and a half months and fined 15% if his purse by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on September 3, 2020, after positive for marijuana. The suspension is retroactive to June 17, 2020, and he will be eligible to compete again on November 2, 2020.[67]
Elliott was expected to face Jordan Espinosa on January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.[68] However, Espinosa tested positive for COVID-19 in late December and the pairing was moved to UFC 259.[69] Elliott won the fight via unanimous decision.[70] During the fight, Elliott accused Espinoza of being a "woman beater" after someone sent Elliott screenshot of messages between Espinoza and an unnamed girl along with images of choke marks on a person's neck. Espinoza responded by saying, "you don't know the whole story". Police stated that Espinoza had never been convicted of domestic abuse.[71]
Elliott was scheduled to face Su Mudaerji on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190[72] However, Mudaerji had to pull out off the bout due to a knee injury that required surgery.[73]
Elliott faced Tagir Ulanbekov on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[76] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[77] 12 out of 17 media scores gave it to Ulanbekov.[78]
Elliot was scheduled to face Allan Nascimento on June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46.[81] However on April 28, Nascimento pulled out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Victor Altamirano.[82] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[83]
Elliott faced Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 294 on October 21, 2023.[84] He lost the fight via arm-triangle choke submission in the third round.[85]
Elliott was scheduled to face Tatsuro Taira on May 18, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 241.[89] However, due to Elliott's indisclosed injury, the bout was scrapped.[90]
Personal life
He was in a relationship with fellow UFC fighter Gina Mazany.[91] On July 28, 2020, Elliott announced on his Instagram that he and Mazany were engaged.[92] Elliott and Mazany have since divorced.[93] He has one daughter from a previous relationship.[94]
