Tim Elliott made a notable return from an extended break at UFC 319, held in Chicago, where he faced off against Kai Asakura, a recent flyweight title challenger and former RIZIN champion. This matchup marked an important moment as Elliott sought to build momentum against Asakura, who was coming off a submission loss to champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 in December.

Round One: Asakura Controls Early Action but Elliott Shows Defense

During the initial round, Asakura asserted control by consistently pressuring Elliott, landing a significant right hand and pushing the pace. Elliott primarily focused on evasion, stepping back while occasionally striking or countering. Near the end of the round, Asakura targeted Elliott with a head kick landing on the neck, but Elliott skillfully countered by securing a takedown as Asakura exited from the technique.

Round Two: Elliott Secures Late Guillotine to Force Submission

The second round began with balanced exchanges, but Elliott gradually gained the advantage by taking the fight to the ground. Asakura, from his back, accepted the position and closed his guard. Seizing the opportunity, Elliott locked in a deep guillotine choke in the final moments. With limited time remaining, Asakura was unable to escape the hold and was compelled to tap out, granting Elliott his second consecutive victory since December 2023.

Official Outcome and Potential Implications

The fight concluded with Tim Elliott submitting Kai Asakura via guillotine choke at 4:39 of the second round. This result delivers a surprising setback for Asakura after his recent UFC submission loss, while Elliott’s performance highlights his resilience and ability to capitalize late in the fight. Moving forward, Elliott may build on this momentum as he pushes for higher positioning in the flyweight division, whereas Asakura will need to rebound from this disappointing finish.