Tim Sylvia Interview

[LWPD]

I know what you may be thinking...but this is actually a pretty good read with an interesting guy.

Courtesy of Baltimore Sun

One-on-one with UFC's Tim Sylvia

Q&A with the former UFC heavyweight champion
By Pramit Mohapatra

Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia lost his title to Randy Couture March 3 at UFC 68. Leading up to the fight, Sylvia was criticized for his lackluster title defenses against Andrei Arlovski and Jeff Monson in 2006. Public sentiment turned against the Sylvia, and he was frequently booed during the Couture bout by the Columbus, Ohio, crowd.

I talked to Sylvia by phone March 13 about his current state of mind, his upcoming plans and his reaction to the reception he received from the fans at UFC 68. I was told before the interview started that Sylvia would not discuss the fight with Couture itself.

First of all, how is your body feeling 10 days after your UFC 68 fight?

I got injured during the fight and I had a doctor's appointment today. I have a herniated disc in my lower back.

And this happened during the fight?

Well, I was injured before the fight and we weren't sure exactly what happened but we had an idea that that's what it was. I just got diagnosed with it today -- [I've] got a herniated disc pinching my sciatic nerve.

So, I couldn't train. I trained my [butt] off for the fight cardio-wise. But I couldn't do a lot of stuff on the ground because my sciatic nerve wouldn't let me.

How are you feeling mentally?

Um, I was pretty bummed out -- couldn't believe I lost. But I went home for a week to Maine and hung out with a lot of close friends and family and they were really supportive. They don't give a [darn] if I win or lose. As long as I stay the same, and I've stayed the same, you know?

Before you fought Couture, there were reports that made it seem like you coveted the heavyweight belt. For example, there were reports that you carried it wherever you went.

Yeah, none of that stuff is true.

What did it mean to you to have the belt?

It meant a lot. It meant I was recognized as the best guy in the world. It means a lot. I still feel I'm one of the best in the world. I had a bad night.

How does it feel now to have lost the belt?

It sucks. I come home and I have two other belts on my TV that I look at. And it's like, [darn] I'm no longer the champ -- it sucks.

After the match, in your post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, you alluded to your back injury. Do you think it was a mistake to bring that up right after the fight?

Yeah, not that it was a mistake … Randy beat me fair and square. Plain and simple. He was the better man that night. He beat me. So, I shouldn't have even brought it up.

Could you give us more details about the injury, for example when it occurred and how it occurred?

It happened about four weeks ago during training for the fight, defending takedowns and stuff like that. Wrestling with big guys you get hurt. I kept training, and [the injury] got worse and worse.

So you're saying it happened about three weeks before the fight itself?

Yes, that's exactly when it happened.

Did you consider pulling out of the match?

Yeah, I did.

How is your back feeling now?

It hurts. It's the worst it's been right now. I just got my MRI yesterday and I got diagnosed with everything so they put me on the pain medication -- some oral steroids, go in for a cortisone shot [March 16] -- and they're hoping if I take one month off from training that it should get better.

UFC President Dana White said in the UFC 68 post-fight news conference that he thought you were "overconfident" going into the fight. Do you feel you were overconfident?

No, not at all.

White also said in the UFC 68 post-fight press conference that you have an "image problem." Do you agree with his assertion?

I have an image problem? What does he mean by that? Explain it to me.

He didn't elaborate on that.

Well, if he can't elaborate, neither can I … I don't know. I always have a self-esteem problem. I was physically and mentally abused as a child, growing up with my mother. So, I think it still sticks with me to this day that I have a problem with that.

As a fighter, what do you do when you hear the booing from the crowd?

I just block it out, man. That's gonna happen. A lot of the fans still aren't quite educated about all the stuff that's going on in a fight.

Did the booing surprise you at all?

A little bit.

Why do you think the UFC 68 crowd was so merciless to you?

I was fighting a legend, a Hall of Famer -- Randy Couture. He's everyone's idol. He's 43 years old, coming out of retirement, fighting me and everybody was rooting for him.

Given the outcome of your UFC 68 fight and some of the criticism you have received for your previous two title defenses, are you planning on changing your game plan or changing your style in upcoming fights?

Not at all. Not at all.

At a time like this, having just lost the title, where do you draw your strength to move forward?

I want to win my next fight. I'm on the road back to the belt. That's what I want to get. Every fight is one step closer to the belt.

What's the next step for Tim Sylvia?

Just to get healthy -- 100% -- and get back in the gym and start training and working on my next fight.

How much time will you take off before you start training again?

They told me I'm going to take at least one month off. I have another appointment [sometime in the next] two weeks after my cortisone shot [March 16]. Once that's done I will figure out what I need to do.

Have you had any conversations about when your next fight will be?

Nope. I haven't talked to the UFC at all.

What is your contract situation with the UFC?

I have three fights left on my contract.

Do you think you deserve an immediate title rematch?

I would like to think so. I think I do. But, I don't know if they are going to give it to me or not. I don't know.

If you can't get an immediate title rematch, which UFC heavyweight would you like to fight next?

I want to fight Frank Mir … He broke my arm a couple of years ago so we have some unfinished business to take care of.

A year ago the Miletich camp had two titles -- Matt Hughes and you -- and three titles if you include close associate Rich Franklin. Now, your camp has none. What is the mood of the Miletich camp right now?

No one cares about that stuff. We're all in this to fight and all fighters lose at some time. Just because no one is wearing the belt in our camp anymore doesn't mean anything. We're all out there to have fun and get up every morning and do what we love to do and that's fight.

Do you guys feel like your day to reign supreme will come again soon?

Oh, it sure will.

And you mentioned the word "fun." Are you still having fun fighting?

Of course I am. I love to fight.

[vansabu]

Love him !!!!!! Good guy, considerate and respecting.

Thanks LWPD for placing this up.

[LWPD]

vansabu said:

Love him !!!!!! Good guy, considerate and respecting.

Thanks LWPD for placing this up.

LOL...when I posted that...I knew at least you would like it VS. ;D

The most entertaining Tim Sylvia fight I've ever seen was against Wes Sims. If only he'd show the same type of showmanship and personality that he did back then he'd probably have less of an 'image problem'...

Tim Sylvia vs. Wes Sims 12/12/04

[dukedave]

lwpd said:

LOL...when I posted that...I knew at least you would like it VS. ;D

Somebody has to. Of course, you probably also realized I'd have to say something since my love for Timmay.

Everytime I see Timmay speak I expect the following to come out of his mouth: "Barhhhhhhhhhhh" Seriously though we should get Timmay into the WWE. They could team him with Umaga as two half brothers like the Dudleys. Then maybe some people (other than vansabu) would like him.

Regardless of whether he deserves a rematch or not, Dana is going to make him jump through hoops to get one. Dana's #1 responsibility is to make money and he can't make as much of it with Sylvia as his heavyweight champ.

[vansabu]

I always eat sh*t for Sylvia ...LOL . From everyone I know to you guys that I dont know. I think I might be his only fan. Jeez, He better come back a better fighter, I see where alot of you guys are coming from, Honestly, If I didnt like him so much I would hate him. I think that with Tim you like him (ME) or you hate him (EVERYONE ELSE)!!!! LOL

[LWPD]

dukedave said:

lwpd said:

LOL...when I posted that...I knew at least you would like it VS. ;D

Somebody has to. Of course, you probably also realized I'd have to say something since my love for Timmay.

LOL...yeah I expected that also.

dukedave said:

Regardless of whether he deserves a rematch or not, Dana is going to make him jump through hoops to get one. Dana's #1 responsibility is to make money and he can't make as much of it with Sylvia as his heavyweight champ.

A solid point...and one that's always important to keep in mind whenever discussing the matchmaking. Well said Double D.

LWPD (UFC will always rightfully put the interests of 'being a business' before producing a purely 'competitive sport' type product....public appearance has to give the illusion that the relation between the two goes hand in glove...but in reality priorities are dictated by what plays to the best interests of the later)

[habbalah]

Again I use to like Tim. I went to bat for the guy a few times and even went to far and said I think he could take Cro Cop when I was overly Pro UFC (still am lol).

I just think some wear along the way I got sick of the guy. Imagine if you will if Frank mir came out and said half the crazy nonsence that comes out of Tim's mouth.. and bragged about being the best in the world and went into denile about why people bo him?

He'd look like a fool. (Not that people hate on Mir, I think more people feel sorry for him now). Tim will get a title shot agian some day. He won't get the title most likely but he'll get the shot. And it saddens me to say it most likely won't be Randy handing him a beating by that time.. but someone a little more Kick boxing based if you get my hint.

By than I'm sure I'll be routing for Tim after some Jerk named Cop smashed my hero in the middle of the ring and he'll come up short. But hay that's life.

[Cosmic Crippler]

Though it was pretty obvious that Randy handled Tim, I dont think he deserved to be booed. Its not like he layed there and let Randy tee off on him. He just couldnt get a bead on him and couldnt avoid the takedowns. I agree with what Tim said; That alot of American fans are unedjucated about the fight game. If there isnt constant action they start booing. Its just like the Rampage/Eastman 2 fight. If you watch it without sound (like I did) I doubt you could understand why people were booing.

[Darth Turkish]

Yeah, I've long said most American "fans" at these events suck out loud. They all want bloodlust, and they do not realize that is not what the sport is about.

[dukedave]

habbalah said:

Tim will get a title shot agian some day. He won't get the title most likely but he'll get the shot.

I seriously doubt this without an image makeover or a style makeover. He has three fights left. They will make all three as hard as can be with one of them against CroCop. If he wins all three (doubtful) he'll get a shot. Otherwise, they will lowball him as feeder or he can have his shot at the Pride heavies, LOL.

[habbalah]

[/list]

turkish said:

Yeah, I've long said most American "fans" at these events suck out loud. They all want bloodlust, and they do not realize that is not what the sport is about.

Blood lust? Christ the fans boohed when they stood Tim up. The crowd just hated Tim. Blood lust had nothing to do with it.

I seriously doubt this without an image makeover or a style makeover. He has three fights left. They will make all three as hard as can be with one of them against CroCop. If he wins all three (doubtful) he'll get a shot. Otherwise, they will lowball him as feeder or he can have his shot at the Pride heavies, LOL.

Okay do you doubt it because you don't think it's a good idea or are you honestly even attempting to think like Dana White.

Ask yourself, would Dana give Tim another shot? Ask yourself honestly... and don't give the answer you want to hear. Look around Pride fan. Outside of Werdum and Cro Cop who is there to *censored* block Tim from getting another title shot?

Cro Cop supposedly will be facing Randy next for the title after he wins his next match (he will most likely). Which means there's only Werdum. If that fight ever happens. I got news for you... Dana white most likely will give Tim a fight with Frank Mir and he'll go on to face the who ever is holding the title by than.
How do I know this? The ufc loves rematches. It's the bread and butter of the ufc.

And where are you pulling this GQ image out of that needs to be ona ufc fighter? Look and Chuck. He has a damn bear belly and mohawk for crying out loud.

[dukedave]

habbalah said:

Look and Chuck. He has a damn bear belly and mohawk for crying out loud.

Yes, Look at Chuck. The fans love him.

Look at Sylvia, the fans hate him. It's not a good type of hate like a lot of fans have for Tito. Fans watch and boo Tito because they want to see him lose. Fans boo Sylvia because they don't want to see him fight.

Who is there to block Sylvia from a rematch you ask - Dana White and the Fertitta (sp?) brothers. You can call me Pride fan all you want but I hardly follow them and I'm still not dense enough to think he'd have a chance in their heavyweight division fighting the way he does. He'd be carded for inaction all the time.

I'm not saying Sylvia doesn't deserve a rematch but the last time he gave him one against Arlovski we saw him almost lose before saving it and then we got to see a third fight that was arguably one of the worst fights ever.

There are other fighters that they could bring in such as Aleks Emelianko or Matt Lindland that the fans would want to see.

[Darth Turkish]

habbalah said:

[/list]

turkish said:

Yeah, I've long said most American "fans" at these events suck out loud. They all want bloodlust, and they do not realize that is not what the sport is about.

Blood lust? Christ the fans boohed when they stood Tim up. The crowd just hated Tim. Blood lust had nothing to do with it.
[/quote] This was not directed at Tim or that fight at all.Just at live crowds in the uS in general. They sort of suspect a prowrestling styled fight with all "high spots". I mean, really, how well would a technical 45 minute pro wret bout, with counters, reversal, chain wrestling, mat wrestling, holding a headlock for a few minutes to get a breather- how well would that go over with the fast-food US crowd of today. Not too well.

I mean the live crowd booed Rampage/ Eastman. Why? There was nothing wrong with what they were doing. Sure it was not a Bonnar- Griffin I or Parysian- Sanchez, but the two were engaging and making some attempt to fight. And once two grapplers hit the ground- fagheddaboudit! It's all over Don't get me started on the stand up rule.

The people who can pay for those events by and large are not fans of the sport- they have no real undertanding of grappling and the complexities and reversals and such. They want action for 15 minutes. I mean, we all want an entertaining fight, but not many guys not named Fedor can throw hard accuarte punches for 15 minutes.

Habs we have had our differences with this very topic before. i hate the American "fanbase". I mush prefer the respectful Japanese crowds.

[LWPD]

how well would a technical 45 minute pro wret bout, with counters, reversal, chain wrestling, mat wrestling, holding a headlock for a few minutes to get a breather- how well would that go over with the fast-food US crowd of today. Not too well.

Good point Turk. The average person in general wants a visual entertainment value that isn't too time consuming and doesn't require too much thinking. I would never disparage that because it's perfectly understandable from an audience perspective...most consumers of anything have a casual interest and are just looking to have a good time without it being too involved...because there's 'other stuff' in their lives with a higher spot on the priority list. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

UFC tries to put out a product that 'looks cool' to not only the adult male demo that understand the intricacies of the sport and have supported it long before it became an 'in fad' (and will be there after the boom inevitably recedes)....but also the teenagers, grade school kids, women, etc who want something 'fun', short and sweet. With rare exception the most loyal/knowledgeable/dependable segment of any audience in any genre tend to be the least relevant to cater to because they are a minority who can't carry the product by themselves to prosperity...and they'll continue to watch regardless. I know I fit into said category...I'll support MMA forever.

The guys in the audience who boo for no real reason...the women who want 'stand up fighting' but can't explain the techniques and strategies behind it...the pro wres fans who think UFC is 'booked' and comprised of 'faces' and 'heels'...the kids who want bloodsport...etc...those are the fans that in combination make up the 'boom' and are the focus of the marketing. Without them...us hardcore fans would still be going to watch this stuff on Indian Reservations where fans dress up as empty seats. We owe them a debt for making MMA a 'mainstream' entity...even if at times it comes with a price.

"SWING FOR THE FENCES"

-UFC Announcer Mike Goldberg reading a 'buzz phrase' off the teleprompter

[Darth Turkish]

I can accept yer point, Paint, but I still don't have ta like it!!!

[habbalah]

mean the live crowd booed Rampage/ Eastman. Why? There was nothing wrong with what they were doing. Sure it was not a Bonnar- Griffin I or Parysian- Sanchez, but the two were engaging and making some attempt to fight. And once two grapplers hit the ground- fagheddaboudit! It's all over Don't get me started on the stand up rule.

They boohed him because I assume they felt he didn't live up to the hype. So far he hasn't in the ufc. I'm not saying he won't fix that problem, I'm just calling it the way I see it.

Habs we have had our differences with this very topic before. i hate the American "fanbase". I mush prefer the respectful Japanese crowds.

The dead from the waste down crowd unless there chanting Minowa.. minowa! I like my crowd alive and filled with life and emotion. You want respect go to a class room. I prefer less boing as well but American crowds can be alot fun.

Hell imagine if MMA had ecw crowds that ate everything up with a spoon? A fighter coming out to roaring fans screaming welcome back when he returns to his home org.

I can accept yer point, Paint, but I still don't have ta like it!!!

To qoute the nature boy.. "Like it.. don't like! LEARN TO LOVE IT!" Cause it looks like ufc's stalk isn't dipping any time soon.

[habbalah]

Now onward.

Look at Sylvia, the fans hate him. It's not a good type of hate like a lot of fans have for Tito. Fans watch and boo Tito because they want to see him lose. Fans boo Sylvia because they don't want to see him fight.

That has less to do with Tito's style and more to do with Tito knows how to work a crowd. He has Charisma for miles. And don't tell me Tito can't be boring. He did all that great priceless PR work on the ultimate fighter 3 that gave him even more die hard fans when they saw he was a decent human being.

Tim's is a jagg and that's why alot fans hate him. This has never bothered Dana before, I don't see it starting now.
Did Tim become a boring Jag? Sure but it's not like you can hide a top level talent at heavy weight. There's so little talent there.

He'd be carded for inaction all the time.

And now that' pride's basically dead I won't ever have to hear that argument ever again. Te he. (Lol sorry).

There are other fighters that they could bring in such as Aleks Emelianko or Matt Lindland that the fans would want to see.

You know.. till now I might have honestly been talking out of my (censored).... did you just say that Tim's boring and fans might like Matt Lindland?

Are you implying that Matt Lindland is action packed? Hell I love team quest up and down (i know he left) and even I think Matt lindland is boring as all nine hells. Matt lindland is something... the diehard elite fans might want to see.

And even than I doubt in their heart of hearts they'd want to see him. That's like saying if Filho would take fans by storm. Yes Matt Lindland would get wins... get fans? not so much.

[dukedave]

I put Lindland in there because that is all we ever hear. "The hottest free agent in the market." blah,blah. Koscheck has fans (some) and I'm sure Lindland would too.

[Darth Turkish]

habbalah said:

They boohed him because I assume they felt he didn't live up to the hype. So far he hasn't in the ufc. I'm not saying he won't fix that problem, I'm just calling it the way I see it.

You want respect go to a class room. I prefer less boing as well but American crowds can be alot fun.

Rampage had ONE UFC fight and it was not all that bad. People are friggin' idiots.
I was surprised they did not boo Cro Cop- becasue he did not kill anyone with the LHK.

And I work in a classroom- no resppect there either.

[habbalah]

They didn't bo Cro Cop because he flew his whole family out to chear for him. (all the croation flags. One of my friends watching the show made the joke about people chearing Cro Cop).

Again I've been to a buffalo bills hot wings during the ppv that featured Tito and Forrest... and guess what people here in the states where chearing the Monson vs Cruz fight. And I'm told (I don't buy it) that fight was boring. American fans can be prettty cool. Maybe it's Vegas?