UFC flyweight Tim Elliott did not get off to the most promising start to his MMA career, starting off with an 0-2-1 record. He then won his next eight fights, including a knockout victory at RFA 1 against former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver. After defeating Pulver, he then needed only 28 seconds to submit Josh Rave, doing so via d'arce choke. From there, Elliott signed on to fight TUF 14 winner John Dodson.
Elliott gave Dodson a very tough fight when they met at 'UFC on FOX: Diaz vs. Miller,' but would be on the wrong end of a decision in his UFC debut. Elliott's next UFC fight was against Jared Papazian at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. The fight would end up being awarded Fight Of The Night, with Elliott winning a unanimous decision. He would follow that up with another decision victory over Louis Gaudinot at UFC 164. He would follow that with his second UFC loss at the hands of Ali Bagautinov at UFC 167 by unanimous decision.