MANILA, Philippines - Former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia seeks redemption as he fights Tony Johnson in ONE Fighting Championship’s Rise to Power in a comeback stint here on May 31 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Called “The Maine-iac,†the 37-year-old Sylvia is one of the most fearsome fighters in mixed martial arts what with his 6-8, 265-pound frame.
He has fought over 30 bouts, including a win over Rocco Rodriguez a decade ago to emerge the UFC’s heavyweight king. He had a successful title defense against Gan McGee the same year.
But Sylvia was stripped of the title right after his first defense following a failed drug test then blew the chance to regain it when he lost (via submission) to Frank Mir in 2004.
Sylvia’s unusual combination of size and quickness has ushered in a new era of monstrous, weight cutting heavyweights who seek total domination of their smaller counterparts. Sylvia is looking for no less than a KO against Johnson.
Also featured in the fight card are headliner Bibiano Fernandez of Brazil and Filipino fighters Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon and Eduard Folayang, fighting out Baguio-based Team Lakay.