UFC on FOX 26's Tim Elliott calls for 'TUF' victory paycheck in future seasons

WINNIPEG – When the UFC crowned its first-ever women’s flyweight champion earlier this month, the feel-good story was of champ Nicco Montano going from rags to riches.

But for onetime UFC flyweight title contender Tim Elliott, the conclusion of “The Ultimate Fighter 26” brought a sour taste to his mouth when he thought of the money he lost competing on the reality show.

Elliott, who gave champ Demetrious Johnson a run for his money after winning “TUF 24,” believes there should be a check at the end of the reality show instead of an award.

“I got a piece of glass that says I won … and two motorcycles,” Elliott told MMAjunkie in advance of his FS1-televised fight against Pietro Menga at UFC on FOX 26, which takes place Saturday at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

When Elliott (14-8-1 MMA, 3-6 UFC) was cast on the show, the gold at the end of the rainbow was the UFC flyweight title; the show’s winner was guaranteed a shot at Johnson.

In the meantime, contestants could count on $5,000 checks for their exhibition fights.

Elliott’s heart sank when he heard there would be a $250,000 payout for the winner of the show’s next season, which featured returning UFC welterweights looking for a shot at redemption.

To be fair, Elliott did earn a disclosed $100,000 for fighting Johnson, the same amount the finalists on “TUF 26” earned. And he got a bump in pay for his next fight, earning $25,000 to show and win.

Still, watching Roxanne Modaferri capture the same amount for a short-notice fight, Elliott couldn’t help but feel short-changed, and he vented about it (via Twitter).

Now Elliott is convinced the end-of-show bonus previously promised by the UFC should become a regular thing.

“I would much rather have $250,000,” he said. “They said my prize was to get Demetrious, which was great. But my pay was for that fight. My pay was for fighting Demetrious. I didn’t get anything really for winning.

“It kind of sucks, because I spent time away from my kid. I have a 2-year-old daughter, and I’m a stay-at-home dad. I spend every second with my kid, and to leave her for seven weeks for $20,000 is not worth it.

“It kind of hurt. But I was a guy who was let go by the UFC once before, and I was lucky enough to get re-hired. So I don’t have any hard feelings with the UFC. I think fighters should get their worth, and if I keep winning, I’ll get mine.”

Originally scheduled to face Justin Scoggins (11-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), Elliott was forced to reset his career expectations for the fight when Scoggins withdrew with an injury. A meeting with undefeated UFC newcomer Menga (13-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) offers plenty of danger for a veteran like Elliott, so he will need to be in top form.

After all, if Elliott can’t stay in the win column, it will be really hard to meet his UFC goals, no matter what comes down the road with the reality show.

For more on UFC on FOX 26, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.