The notion that a smaller man could take down a giant has always been an appealing one, tapping into our inherent desire to see the apparent underdog come out on top against the odds. It’s a concept that everyone is familiar with, thanks to the classic bible tale of David and Goliath, and that symbolism
The notion that a smaller man could take down a giant has always been an appealing one, tapping into our inherent desire to see the apparent underdog come out on top against the odds.
It’s a concept that everyone is familiar with, thanks to the classic bible tale of David and Goliath, and that symbolism has been revisited many times over the years.
In the early 1970’s, the legendary Bruce Lee explored the idea in a martial arts concept via his movie ‘Game Of Death’, writing a script that would require him to battle a 7ft 2” giant, portrayed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
It’s not just a spectacle that’s consigned to books and movies though, as there have been many real-life instances of courageous martial artists testing themselves against gigantic opponents dating back to the earliest days of mixed martial arts competition.
Better yet, on many occasions it’s the smaller man who has emerged victorious thanks to superior technique, stamina and fighting spirit, and in this article we’ll pick out 12 of the most memorable examples of David defeating Goliath in MMA history.
The UFC heavyweight landscape is one littered with towering mountains, turbulent storms, and unpredictable weather. It plays host to the baddest mixed martial artists in the world. While many champions have come and gone, the division has nonetheless produced countless barbarians. But the violent nature of the weight class as a whole has ultimately prohibited
The UFC heavyweight landscape is one littered with towering mountains, turbulent storms, and unpredictable weather. It plays host to the baddest mixed martial artists in the world.
While many champions have come and gone, the division has nonetheless produced countless barbarians. But the violent nature of the weight class as a whole has ultimately prohibited any one titleholder from ever defending the belt more than twice.
That sort of divisional hot potato may differ from other UFC factions, but it subsequently produces some of the best championship overthrows the promotion has ever seen. And considering many of those contests end in devastating fashion, the watching gets good.
Based on divisional importance, overall performances, and long-lasting worth, here are the 10 greatest heavyweights title fights in UFC history.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has seen a rather large, overarching upheaval in recent times, and indeed it has not been overstated. Every champion at the start of 2014 except dominant flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is now gone, with a new crop of talented – and perhaps unexpected – new titleholders set to usher in
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has seen a rather large, overarching upheaval in recent times, and indeed it has not been overstated.
Every champion at the start of 2014 except dominant flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is now gone, with a new crop of talented – and perhaps unexpected – new titleholders set to usher in a new and prosperous era for the promotion.
While that’s obviously great news for the UFC as a business (especially since one of the new champions is Conor McGregor), it also begs to question as to whether or not these supposedly dominant champions that were, in certain cases, built up to almost unattainable levels in UFC promos, were actually far from the indestructible machines they may have appeared to be at that time.
There’ve been a number of UFC champions who, while no doubt wholly talented and effective fighters in their own right, just didn’t quite deliver the goods as champion due to one reason or another. Let’s take a look back at the most overrated champions in UFC history.
That moment when you’re eyeing down a ten point buck, then shit yourself in excitement. (What? The joke was there and I took it. I regret nothing.)
Ever since Tim Sylvia decided to retire from mixed martial arts competition due to…erm…let’s call them “health problems,” the world has waited on baited breath to see what the former UFC heavyweight champion’s next project would be. Triathlons? Hot dog eating competitions? Or would he, as we suspected, return to the quiet life of an Illinois police officer, only to be forced back into competition to avenge his brother’s death/take down a ruthless drug lord? The possibilities were literally endless.
Well, as it turns out, the answer is a bit simpler than we might have predicted, but arguably just as glorious. That’s because Sylvia will stepping away from the octagon and into the forest to host a hunting show, Hit Squad Outdoors with Tim Sylvia, and wouldn’t you know it, we’ve managed to get our hands on the glorious trailer.
That moment when you’re eyeing down a ten point buck, then shit yourself in excitement. (What? The joke was there and I took it. I regret nothing.)
Ever since Tim Sylvia decided to retire from mixed martial arts competition due to…erm…let’s call them “health problems,” the world has waited on baited breath to see what the former UFC heavyweight champion’s next project would be. Triathlons? Hot dog eating competitions? Or would he, as we suspected, return to the quiet life of an Illinois police officer, only to be forced back into competition to avenge his brother’s death/take down a ruthless drug lord? The possibilities were literally endless.
Well, as it turns out, the answer is a bit simpler than we might have predicted, but arguably just as glorious. That’s because Sylvia will stepping away from the octagon and into the forest to host a hunting show, Hit Squad Outdoors with Tim Sylvia, and wouldn’t you know it, we’ve managed to get our hands on the glorious trailer.
My God, I haven’t seen such intense music juxtaposed with such hushed dialogue since the final act of…any movie I’ve watched on my HDTV because I can’t figure out the correct audio settings.
On the real though, it’s good to see that Sylvia, like Ken Shamrock before him, has found gainful employment in a career that does not involve getting repeatedly kicked, punched, and kneed in the head. In fact, we dare say that he might have even found his true calling. Let’s just hope that, like Ken Shamrock before him, this secondary career isn’t just a ploy that sets up his return to MMA/freak show fight with Kimbo Slice. Lord knows our boy K Ferg has enough of those on his hands these days.
Hit Squad Outdoors With Tim Sylvia airs on the Pursuit channel at 5 pm central tomorrow. Head over to the show’s Facebook page to learn more.
It’s hard to remember an MMA career more turbulent than Tim Sylvia’s.
The two-time UFC heavyweight champion, who pairs wins over Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell with losses to Abe Wagner and aged ex-boxer Ray Mercer, has degenerated into something of …
It’s hard to remember an MMA career more turbulent than Tim Sylvia’s.
The two-time UFC heavyweight champion, who pairs wins over Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell with losses to Abe Wagner and aged ex-boxer Ray Mercer, has degenerated into something of a laughingstock in recent years.
But the retired 41-year-old still has some strong opinions about the way his UFC career ended, and he aired those feelings Wednesday on Chael Sonnen’s You’re Welcomepodcast (h/t David St. Martin of MMA Fighting).
Perhaps not surprisingly, Sylvia (31-10-1) saved his choicest words for UFC President Dana White, who he maintains blackballed him after he left the UFC to fight for the rival Affliction promotion:
You know Dana White. He’s just a f–king d–k. He’s just holding a grudge. They’re pissed off because I went to support Affliction. I was sponsored by [Affliction] for three years before that fight. Dana’s just a d–k. He holds grudges. They blackballed Andrei Arlovski as well, but he was smart, went to a good camp, started picking and choosing who he fought and put eight or 10 wins together. They had no choice but to bring him back to the UFC.
Intentionally or otherwise, Sylvia’s comments do more than blame White. They point a finger at the man in the mirror, given that Sylvia racked up a 7-6-1 record against a collection of misfit toys and aging celebrities after leaving the UFC. Meanwhile, Arlovski went 8-5-1 against higher-level competition.
Sylvia also revealed the opponent that he wanted but never got from the UFC: Brock Lesnar. Sylvia noted that his pay, which was very low in comparison to that of the pro wrestling superstar, and the UFC’s refusal to make the fight led him to sign with the rival company:
I was making $100,000 [to show] and $100,000 [to win] in the UFC. I would have to win four fights in the UFC to make the $800,000 to get what I was paid [at Affliction]. I had one fight on my contract left and I wanted to fight Brock Lesnar next. They wouldn’t let me do it…I was like, ‘I’m the [former] f–king heavyweight champ and this guy comes in and he’s making this kind of money? He’s only fought once in his career.’ I was very bitter, very pissed off. [The UFC] said they were going to have me fight Cheick Kongo over in Europe and I said I wasn’t interested. I asked them to release me from my contract, they did and the next day I signed with Affliction.
Historically a fan favorite, Sylvia last fought in 2013, ending his career on a three-fight losing streak. He has vigorously campaigned on social media to return to the UFC, but to no avail.
(“Half the game is 90% mental” — Timothy Deane Sylvia)
Over the weekend, we received the disheartening news that former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia had decided to retire from MMA after showing up at a whopping 371 pounds and being declared medically unfit to compete in his scheduled super-heavyweight contest at Reality Fighting 53. It was the latest in a series of depressing setbacks for the former champion, who its hard to believe was angling for another shot in the UFC as recently as last year.
And we know what you’re thinking, “You’re just setting this all up so you can rip on Sylvia’s weight for 1000 words.” And to be honest, we considered it. But rather than kick a man while he’s down, we’re going to play it straight with this: A tribute to the most memorable performances (for better or for worse) from one of the UFC’s most memorable heavyweight champions.
He is Fatty Boom-Boom “The Maine-iac”, hear him roar.
Sylvia vs. Cabbage Correia
Heading into his UFC debut at UFC 39: The Warriors Return, Sylvia was riding a ridiculous 13 fight win streak that included victories over future UFC alums Jason Lambert, Ben Rothwell, and Mike Whitehead. Paired against the similarly debuting Cabbage Correira, Sylvia brought a near perfect gameplan with him, blistering his iron-jawed foe with stiff jabs and uppercuts from the clinch until Cabbage’s corner was forced to throw in the towel early in the second round. It was such a dominant win that Sylvia was immediately given a title shot against the OG coke-snorting champion, Ricco Rodriguez.
(“Half the game is 90% mental” — Timothy Deane Sylvia)
Over the weekend, we received the disheartening news that former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia had decided to retire from MMA after showing up at a whopping 371 pounds and being declared medically unfit to compete in his scheduled super-heavyweight contest at Reality Fighting 53. It was the latest in a series of depressing setbacks for the former champion, who its hard to believe was angling for another shot in the UFC as recently as last year.
And we know what you’re thinking, “You’re just setting this all up so you can rip on Sylvia’s weight for 1000 words.” And to be honest, we considered it. But rather than kick a man while he’s down, we’re going to play it straight with this: A tribute to the most memorable performances (for better or for worse) from one of the UFC’s most memorable heavyweight champions.
He is Fatty Boom-Boom ”The Maine-iac”, hear him roar.
Sylvia vs. Cabbage Correia
Heading into his UFC debut at UFC 39: The Warriors Return, Sylvia was riding a ridiculous 13 fight win streak that included victories over future UFC alums Jason Lambert, Ben Rothwell, and Mike Whitehead. Paired against the similarly debuting Cabbage Correira, Sylvia brought a near perfect gameplan with him, blistering his iron-jawed foe with stiff jabs and uppercuts from the clinch until Cabbage’s corner was forced to throw in the towel early in the second round. It was such a dominant win that Sylvia was immediately given a title shot against the OG coke-snorting champion, Ricco Rodriguez.
Sylvia vs. Ricco Rodriguez
(Check out Sylvia vs. Rodriguez in its entirety here.)
Although it was only his first title defense, Ricco Rodriguez would have already been given G.O.A.T status heading into his UFC 41 fight against Sylvia had he been fighting in today’s UFC. His five previous appearances had all resulted in stoppage wins over seasoned veterans like Jeff Monson and Pete Williams, and he had captured the belt by elbowing Randy Couture into submission (!!) at the very event where Sylvia made his debut.
But against Sylvia, Rodriguez looked like little more than a punching bag with finely-defined sideburns. Unable to get inside Sylvia’s long arms and mount the smallest semblance of offense (save an armbar attempt early in the fight), Rodriguez was simply biding his time.
“Rico’s dangerously backing up and not covering up,” noted Ken Shamrock from cageside. “He’s allowing [Sylvia’s] right hand to get through.”
It was an ominous moment for Rodriguez, who would be dropped and finished by Sylvia less than 30 seconds later. In the blink of an eye, Tim Sylvia had scored the upset of a lifetime and become the ultimate boss in a promotion filled with Tyson Punch Out-level bosses.
Sylvia vs. Frank Mir
Hard times would befall Sylvia following his title win over Rodriguez. In his first defense, Sylvia would defeat fellow giant Gan McGee via first round TKO, only to test positive for Stanozolol in his post-fight drug test and be stripped of his title thereafter.
Sylvia returned to the octagon some nine months later with the hopes of reclaiming the title he had lost. The only thing standing in his way: Frank Mir. Less than a minute into their fight, Sylvia would find himself caught in the beartrap that is Mir’s guard and on the receiving end of an armbar so brutal that it nearly gave Herb Dean a heart attack. With a sickening pop, Mir broke Sylvia’s forearm in half, but Sylvia — the stubborn sumbitch — refused to believe it, even waving his arm around in an act of futile demonstration.
While reflecting on the “disappointing” end to his career in a recent interview with MMAFighting, Sylvia stated that a rematch with Mir “was the one left I would have liked to have done.” For what it’s worth, I’d be interested in seeing that fight…but only if it was held in Japan under Super Hluk rules.
Sylvia vs. Tra Telligman
Heartbreak would follow heartbreak for Sylvia, who would once again return from a lengthy layoff to suffer a quick defeat to future rival Andrei Arlovski at UFC 51. His heavyweight title (or at least, the interim title) having once again escaped him, Sylvia was matched against journeyman Tra Telligman at UFC 54. In what would be Telligman’s final MMA fight, Sylvia would DESTROY the Lion’s Den fighter with a head kick in the closing seconds of the first round. It was a highlight reel KO that would earn Sylvia a spot on UFC Ultimate Knockouts compilations for years to come.
On the next page: Sylvia recaptures gold in one of the greatest comebacks of all time (seriously), then suffers a reverse of fate against a PRIDE legend…
