Imagining an MMA Hall of Fame: Borderline Candidates, Part 2

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Tim Sylvia
“The Maine-iac” International Fighting Championship (2001, 2005); Gladiator Challenge (2001); Ultimate Wrestling (2001); Extreme Challenge (2001-02, 2002); Icon Sport (2002, 2004); Ultimate Fighting Championship (2002-04, 2005, 2005-08); Affliction (2008); Adrenaline MMA (2009); Moosin (2010); Powerhouse World Promotions (2010); Cage Fighting Xtreme (2010); Titan Fighting Championship (2011); Fight Tour (2011); ProElite (2011); New England Fights (2012); One Fighting Championship (2012, 2013); Inoki Genome Federation (2012); Fight Nights (2013)
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CASE FOR: A two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder with an additional three title defenses in the Octagon, few heavyweights have had more success in the world’s premier MMA organization. Sylvia derailed Ricco Rodriguez at a point when Rodriguez was emerging as a dominant force and stopped Andrei Arlovski in his tracks, as well. CASE AGAINST: Sylvia received a nice payday to leave the UFC in 2008, but his career was never the same. A quick destruction at the hands of Fedor Emelianenko was one thing; getting knocked out in nine seconds by 48-year-old Ray Mercer was another. Ballooning in weight did not help matters, as Sylvia became one of the most ridiculed figures in MMA. VERDICT: Should he go in? He deserves more credit than he gets, but he is not on the hall-of-fame level.

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