MMA Fighter Bios: TIM SYLVIA

TIM SYLVIA
BORN: Ellsworth, Maine
6’8, heavyweight

Tim Sylvia is one of the largest heavyweights from a height perspective to fight in the UFC. The 6’8 heavyweight scored an impressive 13-0 streak before getting a shot at fighting in the UFC. He made the most of it by battering Wesley “Cabbage” Correira with strikes until the point his corner tossed in the towel.
Getting a chance to fight for the title in the UFC fell in place for Sylvia and he made the most of the opportunity. Defending takedowns and landing strikes on his opponent Ricco Rodriguez, Sylvia found a way to land a big right hand which dropped Rodriguez and sealed the deal with strikes on the mat. All of a sudden Sylvia was the king of the heavyweights in the UFC and secured his championship belt.
Taking the same philosophy as then teammate at Team Miletich, Matt Hughes, it was pivotal for Sylvia to defend his belt in order to feel like a real champion. He did so in impressive fashion as he KOd a fellow giant in 6’10 Gan McGee to defend his heavyweight crown.
Sylvia’s first defeat was against Frank Mir, who broke Sylvia’s arm in an armbar, yet Sylvia would not tap. The bout was stopped by the ref. Despite losing his belt, Sylvia would bounce back from his first defeat and be victorious over Wes Sims. Another opportunity to fight for the title came up for Sylvia as Frank Mir out of action due to being able to fight as a result of a motorcycle accident. Syliva was tapped out by Andrei Arlovski in the interim title bout in 47 seconds.
The losses Sylvia has endured have shown a lot about Sylvia’s character. He has a massive heart and finds ways to bounce back to the top again. 3 straight wins—Mike Block, Tra Telligman and Assuerio Silva, set up a rematch between Arlovski and Sylvia in 2006. Arlovski was doing terrific in the bout and looked like he was about to put away the big man via strikes, before Sylvia landed a huge shot that dropped Arlovski and Sylvia proceeded to finish him off on the ground with strikes. A rematch was set 4 months later and this time around Sylvia won a 5 round decision. It was definitely an indication of how much heart Sylvia has—he vowed he’d be back after losing to Arlovski the first time, and he absolutely did the job with 6 victories in a row, including 2 over Arlovski and 1 over Jeff Monson.
Unfortunately for Sylvia he ran into Captain America, Randy Couture, who at the ripe age of 43 took out Sylvia in a 5 round decision, in Couture’s return bout in 2007. But once again Sylvia bounced back to return and defeat Brandon Vera in the fall of 2007.
Sylvia’s ability to come back after turn things around, both in fights, and in his career, are very telling signs of his strong mindset for MMA. His great work ethic, willingness to learn, passion to win, large frame and ability to use his strengths to the fullest, have been key ingredients to his success. He had a great win streak consisting of being 16-0 over the course of 2 years in the sport, won the UFC heavyweight title 2 times, and defended it 3 times. Sylvia trains hard, fights hard and is always ready to take on all comers and put it all on the line. His courage is definitely intact and allows his talent to flourish in the cage.
LOSSES
4 submission (Arlovski, Fedor, Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira)
1 KO (Ray Mercer)
1 Decision (Couture)

DURING HIS 16-0 RUN, SYLVIA WON 12 FIGHTS VIA TKO OR KO