Tim Sylvia interview
What have you been up to since the fight with Fedor?
I have been relaxing. I went to Canada for 7 days and went bear hunting. I’ve been doing a lot of boating I went with a buch of my friends to the Ozarks. I did a lot of boating and jetskiing.
Have you heard anything about your next opponent?
I’m looking to get back in the ring or cage later this fall probably with Adrenaline. I’m going to be there for their next show. I think it might happen in Novemeber but it’s not for sure yet. If that doesn’t happen I’ll probably fight on the New Years’ show for DREAM in Japan or whoever picks me up.
How did you get started in MMA?
I just fell into in honestly. I was a big fan of the UFC. I had done karate and started doing boxing and grappling and fell into it.
Was your family supportive of your decision to pursue MMA professionally?
Oh yeah, whatever I wanted to do they supported me.
Did you have any jitters the first time you stepped into the octagon?
Well, it was my 16th fight so I had a few jitters but I was excited to be in the UFC. It was a dream for me.
When you were fighting Mir when did you know your arm was broken?
As soon as he broke it. (laughs) When he broke it it pissed me off. I thought, Man I gotta kill this guy. I picked him up and dropped him on his head he kind of went limp so I picked him up again and Herb stepped in.I was going to drop left hooks on him. He doesn’t have a great chin and I truly believe I could’ve knocked him out. I had him in a good spot but if it would’ve stood us up I would’ve been in trouble (laughs). My arm was broken.
How big was the win over Arvlovski at UFC 59?
I was excited to redeem myself. He had beaten me previous to that. I knew I could beat him and that’s what I did. I knocked him out.
Do you think there is any money in a fourth fight with Arvloski?
I don’t know. The third fight was a great fight. I think maybe the fans would want to see it. I don’t know. I beat him twice in a row. He looked really good in his last fight and I didn’t. I’ll fight whoever they want me to fight.
What are your thoughts on the Jeff Monson fight? You did well on the ground the night.
It was a good win. I wished I had finished him. I didn’t go out there and finish him. I was happy with the fact that he said that when we got on the ground the fight was over. Obviously it wasnt because I had him in trouble several times that night.
What was your gameplan going into the Randy Couture fight?
Just go out there and hit him (laughs). Defend the takedowns and all costs. The first punch took me out of the fight. He had a great gameplan and he executed it perfectly. He kicked my ass that night. I was injured and if we fought again it would be a different fight. But Randy’s got a big fight with Brock Lesnar.
What are your thoughts on Brock?
He’s a beast. It’s one of those things every four years or so we get a really good monster wrestler like Mark Coleman or Dan Severn. When Dan Severn first came along he was unstoppable. That’s what Brock Lesnar is. He is an amazing athlete, amazing wrestler and he’s huge. Now’s the time to fight him while he’s still learning.
Did you work out with him?
He came up for a couple of weeks. I had my elbow taken care of so I didn’t get to work out with him but some of the guys did.
What do you remember about the fight with Vera in Cincinnati?
I showed him what a big man could do to a little man who should be at 205. I like him. He’s a cocky kid but he’s good. I just knew I was bigger and stronger than him. I had the ability to shut him down like I did. Suprisingly he initiated the clinch and thought if this is how you want to play this is how we’ll play.
I saw him after the fight run down and show Dana White that he broke his hand.
My hand was broken too. No big deal. I broke my hand two weeks before the fight. That’s why we used the elbows a lot. It’s also another reason I was happy with the clinch,. I broke the outside of my right hand two weeks earlier. We both had broken hands. Big deal.
Tell us how you wound up with Affliction.
We had one fight left on the contract and we didnt know where to go or what to do. There where a lot of fights out there I wanted to take and the UFC didn’t know if the guys wanted to take the fight so we parted ways.They released me from my contract. I left on good terms.
Is Tito Ortiz with Affliction?
I don’t know.
Tito said he would step up in weight if the money was right.
I’d take that fight in a heartbeat. In a heartbeat.
Are you allowed to fight for any organization.
Yes, I’m a free agent. I own the rights to my own contract.
I’d like to see you go to EliteXC and expose Kimbo.
It’s like you said, expose him. You can’t blame the guy for making a living. He’s another guy like Brock trying to get better but he’s not at that level yet.
What are your thoughts on the fight with Fedor?
I wanted to keep him off with my reach and try to knock him out but he had a different gameplan than he’s ever had in th epast. He just jumped on me as quick as he could. He hit me with a punch and I don’t know if I slipped but I fell down and he jumped on me and capitalized.
So he’s not all hype.
Oh no he’s a stud. I don’t know who’s going to beat him.
Would you like a rematch with him?
I’d like to have a rematch down the road. I have to get on a win streak and get two or three wins under my belt then I’d like to face him again.
What are your thoughts on what Dana said about you stinking up the joint for years?
Dana says things sometimes without thinking. I left the UFC on good terms but I don’t agree with those comments.
Do you think think the UFC would ever induct you into their Hall of Fame?
I don’t know. If they did it would have to be after I retired. Maybe one day.
Your still with Miletich aren’t you?
Yes
Is there anybody there you see being a star in a few years?
Ben Rothwell is a great figher. Rory Markham is looking sharp in the UFC. Mike Ciesnolevicz should get a shot in the WEC. Ryan McGivern, A lot of those IFL guys are going to be fine. They just need to get on some shos. Drew is a great athlete. He’s a real good fighter. Spencer Fisher is a great one. Josh Neer is getting back in the UFC.
Is there anybody you’d like to fight? Or anybody you like to fight again?
I’ll fight anybody. I’d like to avenge my losses. Everybody does. Or at least I do anyway. But I’ll fight anyone.
Who is your pick for the Randy Couture Brock Lesnar fight?
Randy always rises to the occasion. I would never bet against Randy. I want Randy to win.
You guys are friends aren’t you?
Oh yeah, I actually texted him earlier and told him I’d come out there and help him if he needed me to.
Anything else you’d like to say to the fans?
I always want to think my sponsors. The Affliction guys and Warrior Wear guys. We are actually going to Iraq September 10. Rich Franklin and I are going over there for a USO tour for 10 days. When I get back I look forward to going to the shows and watching some great fights and then getting back in there myself.
