Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia wasn’t fibbing when he revealed during the in-ring interview immediately after his loss to Randy Couture at UFC 68 that he injured his back.
In fact, “The Maine-iac” is considering surgery, according to a blog post earlier this month on his official Web site.
Here’s the snip from April 13:
“Matt [Hughes] and I are in St. Louis, MO today and tomorrow for the NRA show. I got my 3rd cortisone shot for my back and if this doesn’t work out, I’ll have surgery in 2 weeks. Heading up to Oregon on Wednesday for some turkey hunting, I’ll be hanging out with my buddies from BowTech Archery while I’m up there.”
Fortunately, the once-weak division is now brimming with talented stars such as Antonio Rodrigo “Big Nog” Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Crop” Filipovic and Fabricio Werdum, as well as the un-retired Couture.
Prior to their arrivals, Andrei Arlovski (who Sylvia bested twice), Jeff Monson (who Sylvia also defeated) and Brandon Vera were the only true title challengers.
Gabriel Gonzaga was there, too, but who knew?
Put simply, had Sylvia been injured during that time it would have been a disaster — love or hate the guy.
Now, if Sylvia elects to have surgery, the heavyweight division can roll without being stuck in limbo. Meanwhile, he can rehab his injury at a pace that’s good for him and not rush to return.
Regardless, it appears that “Big Tim” won’t be back in the Octagon anytime soon if the problem persists — especially if he goes under the knife.
For most readers … please try and contain your enthusiasm.
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Doesn’t look like Big Tim will be in action anytime soon. I think he fit well against Kongo and moving up for a title shot a fight or two after that. Of course he would get destroyed by Nog or AA right now. It would of been good to see how Kongo can do against real comp and where he measures from there. Why not the former UFC champ
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey
maybe hell quit mma and be a proffesional hunter on the outdoor network and fish in bass tournaments for money. then go home and f*&# sheep with matt hughes
Future News Bulletin:
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia is forced to retire from fighting aftr breaking his back while on a turkey hunt.
“The turkeys came out of nowhere and ambushed us.” said Sylvia
However, according to training partner Matt Hughes, a 43 year-old turkey took Tim down and broke his back after the fall.
i don’t know how anyone could say he would get killed by arlovski, i guess a short attention span can explain that one, but on the injury, i hope he gets 100% healthy before he fights again, he shouldn’t be forced into a fight while he’s injured, a back injury is a serious thing for any athlete, get it better big man, and you still got some fans out here who want to see you fight some more big fights
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are they going to give him a back bone???
Now if and when he loses he will have more excuses.
Tim looks like he’s checking that Turkey for Hemroids.
[quote comment="42993"]Future News Bulletin:
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia is forced to retire from fighting aftr breaking his back while on a turkey hunt.
“The turkeys came out of nowhere and ambushed us.” said Sylvia
However, according to training partner Matt Hughes, a 43 year-old turkey took Tim down and broke his back after the fall.[/quote]
haha Im at at the library right now and i busted up laughin outloud when i read this one. the turkeys came out of nowhere and ambushed us… thats great lol
[quote comment="42998"]i don’t know how anyone could say he would get killed by arlovski,[/quote]
couldn’t agree with you more. especially after aa’s lackluster performance at ufc 70. i hate tim sylvia… and yet i respect him as a fighter and i would have to agree with spida when he said he doesn’t kno how anyone could say aa would kill him
tim has a smirk on his face like he just sexually molested that turkey
You can tell Tim has made love to more animals than humans by the auspicious smirk on his face.
Haha funny guys. I for one hope his surgery goes ok. Doing shit to your back is no joke.
[quote comment="42998"]i don’t know how anyone could say he would get killed by arlovski, i guess a short attention span can explain that one, but on the injury, i hope he gets 100% healthy before he fights again, he shouldn’t be forced into a fight while he’s injured, a back injury is a serious thing for any athlete, get it better big man, and you still got some fans out here who want to see you fight some more big fights[/quote]
Arlovski fought Sylvia’s fight. If he takes in his own fight strategy I gurantee he will beat Tim. When he lost title he had him beat. He got excited ran into a puch and it cost him instead. Third fight he played it safe and cost him the fight. Which almost happen this time around with Werdum, if Fabricio was better with the hands. Killed by Arlovski no, beat by Arlovski definetly
I would like to see tim 100% healthy, and in a title race with Cro Cop… Cro Cop aqusition by the UFC just isn’t complete for me if he doesn’t get to topple that giant prick.
Well I don’t know how bad Tim’s back is, but I had 2 back surgeries when I was 19 and 21 and there wasn’t a chance in hell I’d be able to participate in a contact sport again. Hopefully he’ll be able to recover, but once you screw up your back, you are usually done.
I hope he brings dick cheney on that turkey hunting trip and Sylvia gets his face blown off
him and hughs are a couple of red neck cocky bitches
if tim would stop letting his horses rear-end him he wouldnt have such a bad back. he probably keeps a sore throat too but wont tell anyone until he looses again
[quote post="1920"]“The turkeys came out of nowhere and ambushed us.” said Sylvia[/quote]
That’s it man, nothing else needs to be said. hahahaha
[quote comment="43059"][quote comment="42998"]i don’t know how anyone could say he would get killed by arlovski, i guess a short attention span can explain that one, but on the injury, i hope he gets 100% healthy before he fights again, he shouldn’t be forced into a fight while he’s injured, a back injury is a serious thing for any athlete, get it better big man, and you still got some fans out here who want to see you fight some more big fights[/quote]
Arlovski fought Sylvia’s fight. If he takes in his own fight strategy I gurantee he will beat Tim. When he lost title he had him beat. He got excited ran into a puch and it cost him instead. Third fight he played it safe and cost him the fight. Which almost happen this time around with Werdum, if Fabricio was better with the hands. Killed by Arlovski no, beat by Arlovski definetly[/quote]
killed by arlovski no, beat by arlovski maybe, beat arlovski proven, arolovski’s had his chances and you can say he lost for whatever reason but the bottom line is he lost, twice, anything can happen in a fight and it did, twice, a loss is a loss, and two out of three is two out of three
you guys are so juvenile hating this guy because of how he looks and acts, its borderline homoish to not like a guy because or how he looks, the bottom line is he’s a good fighter and thats impossible, impossible to argue, the results speak for themselves
Rednecks
Don’t like a guy becuase of how he acts? SPIDA, if thats not a legit reason, what is? If he acts like an asshole, copout, jerk, or whatever, people arnt gonna like him.
I don’t really care. He is a good fighter and would make a lot of interesting matchups right now. I don’t hate him or like him, I think DW is right though, he kinda shot himself in the foot with that back injury remark, true or not. You didnt hear Penn after he dominated Hughes but lost on the mike, “Well, My rib just hurts thats why I lost”
Tim is a good guy though, and I agree with you somewhat but think that most people don’t actually hate him because of how he looks or acts. Just because his last two or three fights were not the highlight reel people wanted. So what though, if nobody was able to beat him, than that’s not his fault.
“you guys are so juvenile hating this guy because of how he looks and acts, its borderline homoish to not like a guy because or how he looks, the bottom line is he’s a good fighter and thats impossible, impossible to argue, the results speak for themselves”
I think the main hate on big Tim is the way he has been fighting… just enough to win, but not a ounce of effort put in to finish. That’s why I don’t like him… Him going on Blind Date and looking stupid was just good laughs, I don’t hate him for it.
kenpostarfighter… You sound less intelligent with every blog. Considering all your comments it sounds like you’re the one with experience molesting animals (how else could you recognize Sylvia’s smirk?). Get a life dude, you’re embarrassing yourself…
Love him or hate him, Sylvia’s a contender. There’s no doubt about that. He’s got size, strength, and some definite toughness. Basically, he’s a monster. With the RIGHT training and focus this guy could be unstoppable. I hope he fights again…
I live in davenport where Big Tim resides, call gay, animal f-er, yada yada, see him with more fine hoes then anyone on here im guessing.
Yea, he can be a clown, but he is a bad ass. Use to bounce at a bar in Illinois, seen him knock people out, first hand.
He has my respect, even though he can be a douche bag.
[quote comment="43235"]kenpostarfighter… You sound less intelligent with every blog. Considering all your comments it sounds like you’re the one with experience molesting animals (how else could you recognize Sylvia’s smirk?). Get a life dude, you’re embarrassing yourself…
Love him or hate him, Sylvia’s a contender. There’s no doubt about that. He’s got size, strength, and some definite toughness. Basically, he’s a monster. With the RIGHT training and focus this guy could be unstoppable. I hope he fights again…[/quote]
The disrespect it unnecessary thats for sure. Sylvia is a great fighter and I hope to see him come back soon. I would hate to see a career end off injury. Although it’s more common departure than any other. I would like to see the guy fight until he decides to call it quits or the game passes him up. Ken Shmarock is a great example of this. The guy rode it till the wheels fell off. Can’t blame the guy. being a professional athlete is the best job in the world. No matter what people try to argue Sylvia is a contender, and don’t forget people he is the former champ. He can bang with the best of him. I’m not a Sylvia fan but I can’t wait to see the guy back. AA can beat this guy, and they have a score to settle.
I think alot of his success is due to his size which he exploits to his advantage. No one can fault him for that however, hes not all that great. Good yes great no. As for AA I’m starting to lose faith in him, I will always be a fan but I think hes lost the killer instinct.
Camo, NRA, turkey hunting, Matt Hughes, Oregon? How many more redneck references can you fit in one paragraph? All we need is get’r done! bleh.
As much as I dilike Sylvia, I dont want to see him leave the UFC. The more top quality opponents there are, the more entertaining the fights will be. Even if you think his game is ugly, which I do, you have to admit that he uses his size to his advantage very well. Except for when he let Couture rock him with that overhand right.
[quote]Fortunately, the once-weak division is now brimming with talented stars such as Antonio Rodrigo “Big Nog” Nogueira, Mirko “Cro Crop” Filipovic and Fabricio Werdum, as well as the un-retired Couture.[/quote]
I am not sure if Cro Cop will fight again. I think either he won’t or he’ll fight one more in betweener and then fight for the title and win
Silvia and Hughes at an NRA show …. Enough said.
ajadoniz … couldn’t agree more !
ajadoniz Apr 24th, 2007 at 6:11 pm Quote this comment
Camo, NRA, turkey hunting, Matt Hughes, Oregon? How many more redneck references can you fit in one paragraph? All we need is get’r done! bleh.
I do not think Tim is having back surgery to be honest, I think that he is going onto Flavor of Love or Blind Date again..
sheeze..
Tim man titties Sylvia is a distuging fat sloppy hick. I guarantee that he is a virgin. Im so happy I might not have to see this slob in action again. Anybody that defends this slob must be a fat ass themselves.
[quote post="1920"]I think the main hate on big Tim is the way he has been fighting… just enough to win, but not a ounce of effort put in to finish. That’s why I don’t like him… Him going on Blind Date and looking stupid was just good laughs, I don’t hate him for it. [/quote]Tim is at his best when he is an underdog, that seems to be the one thing that really motivates him. being an underdog and not having the belt.
[quote post="1920"]I would like to see tim 100% healthy, and in a title race with Cro Cop… Cro Cop aqusition by the UFC just isn’t complete for me if he doesn’t get to topple that giant prick. [/quote]
Screw Cro Cop, I wanna see Sylvia fight Big Nog. Say what you want about Sylvia but the guy hits hard, and I think it would be an interesting and good fight becouse I dont think he could KO Nog.
Tim Sylvia: You wanna go turkey shooting?
Matt Hughes: Yeh you gobble and i shoot.
Thats how he hurt his back.
Does anyone else think poopie should hit the freakin weights? I mean if your a professional athlete freakin look like one. Not to mention it would probably help his fan base immensely if he showed up at his next weigh-in without man udders.
[quote comment="42989"]Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey[/quote]
goood byyyeeee
[quote comment="44052"]Does anyone else think poopie should hit the freakin weights? I mean if your a professional athlete freakin look like one. Not to mention it would probably help his fan base immensely if he showed up at his next weigh-in without man udders.[/quote]
why should that matter???? the only thing that should matter is that he keeps winning at an impressive percentage, how he looks is a ridiculous thing to base your opinion of a fighter on
[quote comment="43478"]Tim man titties Sylvia is a distuging fat sloppy hick. I guarantee that he is a virgin. Im so happy I might not have to see this slob in action again. Anybody that defends this slob must be a fat ass themselves.[/quote]
whats that got to do with him as a fighter???? thats an idiotic statement, and i support tim sylvia and i guess that makes me a fat ass, thats a good point you got there buddy, i can’t wait to hear more comments from you…
by the way, calling him a redneck is just as racist as calling someone a nappy headed ho…
IS THIS RACIST?
IF THE LAME-IAC GETS SURGERY, PERHAPS THE DOCS CAN REMOVE HIS LARGER THAN NORMAL GOOFY-BONE.
OK…I GOT TO HAND IT TO TIM, HE DOES FIGHT PRETTY GOOD FOR A RETARD.
damn, I wanted to see him get beat up some more… i didn’t want him to have the title but there’s nothing as funny as seeing him wear the belt like it actually holds up his pants..
Rednecks is a racist term? I strongly disagree,anybody else think redneck is a racist term.
[quote comment="44368"]Rednecks is a racist term? I strongly disagree,anybody else think redneck is a racist term.[/quote]
Lets not and say we did. Thanks.
“The Man”, “Saviour”, “anusmaximus”, “the icon”…is it possible for you guys to post something relevant, interesting, or intelligent? This is ridiculous. Honestly, I thought this was a sight for mma fans to discuss mma, specifically the ufc. Your postings are a complete waste of time…continue to hide behind the anominity of the internet, tomato cans…
Sylvia will win again…
The hate train keeps going!
Tim is a good fighter, just the aggressive part needs to come back. He could do well in the HW division now if he was healthy, say what you want but you dont come accross 6′8″ 260lbs strikers that know how to handle take downs everyday. Testosterone would do him good.
Tim Sylvia is a fat sloppy hick and a redneck with floppy tits and i find him repulsive but i certainly hope he gets back in the octagon and makes a terrible after injury return just like Frank Mir and gets his ass kicked by a bunch of other stinky rednecks
Comments will be turned off. Thanks to all the MMA-related commenters who contributed. I’m all for humor — but it’s getting taken a little too far too often.