UFC’s Tim Elliott is throwing his support behind bareknuckle brawler Tony Soto in a heated matchup against Kevin Croom, a former teammate who was once romantically linked to Elliott’s ex-wife, Gina Mazany. This intense showdown is set to unfold this weekend at BKFC 52 in Columbia, South Carolina on October 20, 2023.
The backstory to this intriguing matchup is nothing short of a dramatic saga. Earlier this summer, Tim Elliott publicly revealed via social media that his former wife, Gina Mazany, who had competed as a Bantamweight and Flyweight in the UFC, had cheated on him with none other than Elliott’s friend and teammate, Kevin Croom.
To make matters even more astonishing, their affair began on the very night of Elliott and Mazany’s wedding and continued throughout their entire marriage.
Elliott exposed these details just before his bout with Victor Altamirano at UFC Vegas 74, where he secured a unanimous decision victory. This win marked Elliott’s second consecutive triumph, clearly indicating that the personal turmoil had not affected his professional performance. In contrast, both Gina Mazany and Kevin Croom had been released from the UFC in 2022 following a series of losses. Since then, they have turned their attention to bareknuckle boxing, with Croom notably boasting an undefeated record of 2-0 in Bareknuckle FC.
The upcoming BKFC 52 event is pivotal for Kevin Croom as he seeks his third consecutive win, this time against Tony Soto. In an unexpected twist, Soto has garnered the full support of Tim Elliott, who happens to be the winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24.
Elliott conveyed his backing for Soto through a Facebook post, stating, “Sponsoring my first fighter! The man that’s about to knock out Kevin Croom… let’s go, Tony ‘Loco’ Soto.”
This unique showdown between Soto and Croom is unfolding simultaneously with Tim Elliott’s return to the UFC. Elliott, a seasoned veteran with 32 professional fights under his belt, boasts a record of 19 wins, 12 losses, and 1 draw. He is set to compete at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 21, 2023.
Elliott will face the undefeated prospect Muhammed Mokaev, who holds an impressive record of 10 wins and 1 no-contest. The fight promises to be a thrilling spectacle as Elliott aims to continue his resurgence in the MMA world.