Affliction Banned: Sylvia versus Fedor

As Tim Sylvia gears up for the biggest fight of his life, he took the opportunity to sit down with Mark Chalifoux of the Baltimore Sun. In the Q&A he made some really interesting comments including:

MMA Stomping Grounds: Can Affliction compete with the UFC?

Sylvia: I don’t think Affliction is even considering competing with the UFC. They are just looking to put on quality shows, pay the fighters well and have a good time doing it because they can.

MMA Stomping Grounds: Do you have friends in the UFC who are coming to you with complaints now that you’re currently out of the organization?

Sylvia: I was with the UFC for five years. I have a lot of friends in the UFC, eh, you know what, no comment. I eventually want to fight back there some day and I left on good terms.

MMA Stomping Grounds: What appealed to you about Affliction?

Sylvia:They are friends of mine, they had six of the top 10 heavyweights in the world, and with me they have seven. That’s the best place for me to be to fight all the best fighters out there, so I have to be there.

And on July 19th he will fight for the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts Heavyweight Belt. The 1st of its kind, Affliction will partner with WAMMA to give out a specially made belt.

After much speculation, Affliction vice president Tom Atencio clarified that he was going to use “Unified rules, so I’m pretty much going to adopt UFC rules.”

This could potentially change the match odds. Tim Sylvia 6′8″ 260 is 24-4 having last loss his last match to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February to Guillotine Choke is looking to make a leap from Chump to Champ. At the top of his game Sylvia is able to use his reach advantage with hands, elbows, knees, and kicks. Just the type of game that the unified rules allow him to play.

At 6′0″ 233 Fedor Emelianenko makes for a poor match up for Sylvia on paper. “Fedor is a powerful, intelligent fighter and technician who doesn’t outwardly show much emotion, but fights (and trains) with a lot of heart. This astounding fighter never retreats, has great takedown and ground control skills, and is the most devastating fighter that MMA has ever seen when he’s on the inside. And Fedor hits very hard, with amazing knockout power in both hands. Unlike most fighters, Fedor is also a master game planner who follows through on the plan, and simply doesn’t wilt under pressure, no matter what the circumstances.”

Advantages for Fedor:
14 of Fedor’s 27 victories have come by way of submission. Common Opponents – 2 Victories over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by decision.
Fighting in a ring instead of a cage.

Advantages for Sylvia:
Size, Stamina, Reach, Strength. (I think, Hong Man Choi had the same advantages and lost quickly to an arm-bar)

Sylvia has a punchers chance but unless his takedown defense is better than Chuck’s, Victory to The Last Emperor too much Judo/Sambo for Sylvia.

I am interested to hear your thoughts though, will Sylvia knock out Emelianenko before he can get inside?

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