SYLVIA TO LEAVE UFC

TheFightNetwork.com reports that Tim Sylvia may leave the UFC to fight Fedor in the EliteXC organization.  This may end up hurting the UFC more than Couture’s departure if Tim Sylvia can make this fight happen.  That will be a lot of lost revenue for Zuffa!

 

Two-Time Heavyweight Champion Could Make Announcement Friday
By Brian Knapp

Two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia could announce his decision to leave the Las Vegas-based promotion as early as Friday, according to a source close to the situation. Sylvia, who has one fight remaining on his current contract with the UFC, submitted to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in a bout for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC 81 in February.

Sylvia’s departure could set the stage for a lucrative match with former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko later this year. Still widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Emelianenko’s services are being sought by a number of potential suitors, including EliteXC.

Sylvia (24-4) has won seven of his last nine fights – the lone defeats coming to Nogueira and Randy Couture, two of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Based out of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp in Bettendorf, Iowa, the gangly, 6-foot-8 Sylvia underwent back surgery following his unanimous decision loss to Couture at UFC 68 in March 2007. He made a successful return to the Octagon in October, as he handed Brandon Vera his first professional defeat at UFC 77.

The 32-year-old Sylvia owns victories against former UFC heavyweight champions Andrei Arlovski (twice) and Ricco Rodriguez. He has also defeated the American Top Team’s Jeff Monson, Mike Whitehead (twice) and Ben Rothwell. Nineteen of his 24 career wins have come by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

Posted on thefightnetwork.com -- 03/27/08