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[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

So, I was doing my monthly scroll across the internet keeping tabs on fighters outside of the UFC and I came across something saying that Tim Sylvia had a fight this coming Saturday that I thought might be of some interest.

Here's the first article I found:

Tim Sylvia on Randy Smith: “… I’m Going to Smash Him”
— mmaf2835 @ 3:57 pm June 11, 2012
Tim Sylvia on Randy Smith: “… I’m Going to Smash Him”

Lewiston, Maine (June 11, 2012) – Former two-time UFC World Heavyweight Champion is feeling good heading into his bout at this Saturday’s New England Fight’s (NEF) Fight Night III event at The Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Sylvia will step into the cage with New York’s Randy “The Wolf” Smith as his opponent in a heavyweight showdown.

Sylvia (30-7, 19 KO’s, 4 Submissions), will be fighting in his home state for the first time as he takes on the respected veteran Smith (14-10-1, 7 KO’s, 2 submissions), who of-late has become a fixture on the Northeast regional circuit, racking up an impressive list of victories and a collection of title belts.

“I’ve seen a little bit of him on Youtube,” Sylvia said about his opponent, “He’s a tough kid and he likes to stand and bang. And that’s going to be a recipe for disaster for him because I’m going to smash him.” While confident, Sylvia says he’s not overlooking Smith, “I’m not looking at him as a stepping stone. I’m looking at him as a guy who wants a big name on his record with me being the victim. That’s not happening.”

Fighting in his home state for the first time in a 13 year pro career, Sylvia is looking forward to giving his fans a good show, “When I was at the last NEF show in Biddeford, it brought tears to my eyes when I heard the ovation from the crowd that I would be fighting in Maine at Fight Night III.”

In many media appearances, Sylvia has made it abundantly clear that he would ultimately like a return to the UFC before he retires. This has stirred up rumor after rumor about re-joining either the UFC or Strikeforce, “There’s nothing factual about any of those rumors at the moment, but if it happens then great. I’m ready and willing to fight anyone.”

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS

From that I found the entire fight card on the homepage that also had an interview with Tim.

NEW ENGLAND FIGHTS

Considering the really cool ShoFight card on Saturday and the Jorge Santiago Titan FC card on HDNet this Friday, I find myself somewhat perplexed as to why such a famous name like Sylvia(regardless of talent/skillset, Sylvia's name on the marquee should stand for something)is appearing on such an unpublicized and basically unknown card(against an unknown fighter), given his expressed desire to fight again for ZUFFA. It's weird to me especially when you factor in who HDNet sometimes has as their headliners for their shows and here's Tim Sylvia fighting and there's barely a peep?

I've always chocked alot of Tim's latter-day mishaps on tremendously poor management and can't help but feel this is another example. Maybe he's getting a good payday, but one would think that Tim would desire some bigger name fights(I can think of many past-their-prime fighters who could headline a fight with Tim that would draw alot more eyes) on bigger stages if he wants to make a genuine argument for another shot at the "big time".

Anyways, this caught my eye so I thought I'd share.

[RonPaulForPeace]

imma say it guys, Big tim is on a decent win streak and hes a name that i think they should bring in and give to Cormier, theres no1 else outside zuffa, i mean no1 in the ufc wants to go to sf. theres fedor and tim with big names for cormier i mean theres rizzo maybe if he beat fedor. I think SF should grab tim and rizzo and have tim fight cormier and rizzo fight josh again for their rubber match, those sound like pretty good fights. Tim at 6 foot 8 265lbs can give the smaller cormier problems and it will be a great test for cormier, lets make this happen

[Cat--Smasher]

This was Tim's big announcement a month or two back.

Who knows, maybe with an impressive win, he will get a shot at Barnett or Cormier in StrikeForce. I dont think he deserves a shot against Cormier but I remember Cormier saying he would take a fight against Timmmy as his plus one fight with SF.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

I just find it crazy how little chatter there is for an upcoming fight of a recently relevant main event-level fighter.

Especially given how his comeback run was derailed by the Abe Wagner upset, I just don't get the logic in fighting these relative no-names and cans who could catch him.

[Cat--Smasher]

Originally Posted by RonPaulForPeace

Tim at 6 foot 8 265lbs can give the smaller cormier problems and it will be a great test for cormier, lets make this happen

Cormier would take his head off.

Bigfoot weighs in at 6'4, 264. Timmy weighs in at 6'8, 265. Josh 6'3, 248. Timmy only has a 2 inch reach advantage over Bigfoot.

I think Cormier has proven he is able to handle those taller and lengthier than himself.

[Repenter]

i live in portland. i could actually make this fight.

i won't. but i could.

[rough-n-tumble]

He's a two time UFC champ if you ignore the fact he was stripped (voluntarily gave up) of the belt.

As a fighter, his skill set just doesn't match up to that of upper tier fighters. He is big, tough, and throw a punch. That is his only chance against good competition.

I know he's fighting to make a living so I'll at least wish him well there.

[kalebarker]

Originally Posted by Cat--Smasher

Cormier would take his head off.

Bigfoot weighs in at 6'4, 264. Timmy weighs in at 6'8, 265. Josh 6'3, 248. Timmy only has a 2 inch reach advantage over Bigfoot.

I think Cormier has proven he is able to handle those taller and lengthier than himself.

When Sylva is on his game he does use his reach advantage better than Bigfoot and Barnett. His name value would be the perfect fight for Cormiers +1.

That being said, Cormier still outclasses him and if it happens.

[goodtimes]

Originally Posted by Fedorlei Gomipierre

I just find it crazy how little chatter there is for an upcoming fight of a recently relevant main event-level fighter.

Especially given how his comeback run was derailed by the Abe Wagner upset, I just don't get the logic in fighting these relative no-names and cans who could catch him.

I think the dude just wants to get paid. He's probably getting somewhere around 15-30k for the fight.

Originally Posted by Repenter

i live in portland. i could actually make this fight.

i won't. but i could.

I never miss a decently big card in my area. I watched Tim Sylvia whoop on Pudzianowski because the fight was like a mile from my house. I got ring side seats for like 60 bucks, best event I've ever been too (card had a lot of solid fights on it). Imo the smaller shows are better than UFC events in terms of bang for your buck.

[jrow]

I would like to see big Timmy back in the ufc. I dont think he could be champ again,but he would make a few good fights.Especially if he is in shape.