Johnson fends off Elliott to retain flyweight title in TUF 24 Finale

Demetrious Johnson is still the only flyweight champion the UFC has ever known.

"Mighty Mouse" successfully defended the 125-pound title with a unanimous decision over Tim Elliott in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 24 finale in Las Vegas on Saturday. Johnson overcame an early submission scare to outwrestle and control the latest "TUF" winner for his ninth straight title defense, just one removed from Anderson Silva's promotional record.

Johnson's 11 (consecutive) wins at flyweight also gave him sole ownership of the divisional record, which Joseph Benavidez had tied moments prior with a split decision over Henry Cejudo.

The challenger brought a whole new meaning to the term "moral victory" with his performance. Elliott - who earned his title shot by taking the "TUF 24" 16-man tournament - flashed a thoroughly matured repertoire while looking every bit the wild man he was in his first ill-fated UFC stint.

The Kansas native appeared destined to start his second promotional run with an epic upset, as he converted a chaotic scramble first into a guillotine, then a D'Arce choke that had Johnson in arguably the most precarious position of his entire reign as champion. Cool as a cucumber, Mighty Mouse stoically worked his way out of the submission, but was behind on the scorecards heading into Round 2.

Control became the story of the fight from there, as Elliott's frenetic pace left Johnson little choice but to put him on his back and maintain top position to turn the tables. Still, the challenger simply would not fade, handily outlanding Johnson from his back and fighting off a number of straight armbar and kimura attempts.

Elliott's undying gamesmanship didn't translate to the scorecards, though, as his impromptu scrambles usually ended with him in an unfavorable position, all but sealing his fate against a tactician of Johnson's caliber. Mighty Mouse kept him on his back from the second round onward, and while the champ didn't land much in the way of ground-and-pound, he swept the scorecards by regulating the pace and dictating where the fight took place.

The 29-year-old Elliott may not have brought his comeback full circle, but he's come a long way since he was handed his walking papers after his third straight loss in February 2015. His UFC record now stands at 2-5.