One of the top names who competed at the UFC’s latest pay-per-view event badly needed his paycheck.
UFC 319 marked the promotion’s return to Chicago for the first time since before the pandemic, and the MMA-hungry fans in the ‘Windy City’ were treated to a number of memorable performances.
Before Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis in the main event, Lerone Murphy and Carlos Prates delivered back-to-back spinning back elbow knockouts to send the United Center crowd into a frenzy.
And it wasn’t only knockouts that thrilled fans, as flyweight veteran Tim Elliott submitted Kai Asakura to kick off the main card in style. The result came in the American ex-title challenger’s first fight in almost two years, and it would seem that things were far from comfortable during his layoff.
Tim Elliott reveals shock financial position before bonus-winning UFC 319 upset
Elliott challenged Demetrious Johnson for UFC gold in 2016, two years after being released from the promotion. After threatening to upset ‘Mighty Mouse,’ the Arkansas City native has remained an ever-present in the 125-pound division.
But his status as a former championship contender and 20 UFC fights were not enough to leave Elliott financially strong while he was forced to remain on the sidelines through injury for over 600 days.
The 38-year-old fighter recently revealed in a post on X that he had limited funds in his bank account before returning to triumph over a former Rizin champion in Asakura at UFC 319 on August 16.
“I had $600 in my account the day I left for my fight, although I had not fought in 600 days,” Elliott wrote.
“That’s a scary thing for a parent!”
UFC Shanghai winner was in a similar spot despite four wins in 2024
Elliott’s comment came in response to discussion surrounding Charles Johnson’s situation.
Johnson knocked out Lone’er Kavanagh at UFC Shanghai to take the highly touted prospect’s undefeated status and further solidify his reputation for stopping up-and-comers in their tracks.
The result earned ‘InnerG’ a bonus, and it turns out that was much-needed.
Despite being one of the promotion’s most active fighters and winning all four of his assignments in 2024, it was reported that Johnson had to borrow money from his manager before UFC Shanghai.
“Charles Johnson’s bank account went into the red this week, his team tells me,” Ariel Helwani wrote on X.
“His manager Brian Butler lent him some money. Johnson has a baby arriving any day now.
“Got this big KO. Got a bonus, too. First win of 2025. Congrats @innerGmma_ufc,” he added.
Both Johnson and Elliott’s revelations have only strengthened criticism against the UFC for its low revenue-sharing with the athletes.