 Orange Belt
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PA
Posts: 461
|
ESPN Chat with Tim Sylvia - recap
Tucson, AZ: Huw do you feel about always being the underdog even as the heavyweight champion of the world
Tim Sylvia: (3:04 PM ET ) To be truthful, it really irritates me. A lot of people never gave me a shot and I don't know why. It's something that I'm not used to, but it irritates me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike San Diego CA: Who do you think your biggest challenge is in the UFC?
Tim Sylvia: (3:05 PM ET ) My biggest challenge was Anderi. I've proven to the world that he's no longer a challenge for me. Right now, I'd say Jeff Munson is the next opponent for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Drew, Los Angeles: Does Monson have a shot at beating you?
Tim Sylvia: (3:06 PM ET ) No. I really don't think so. I think it'll be a cold day in hell before Munson beats me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan from Utah: Tim you are my favorite mma fighter of all time. I want to see you fight Kimo just so thatI can see a great knockout.
Tim Sylvia: (3:07 PM ET ) Kimo just failed another steroid test. He has to come clean and put a few more wins together. And that'll never happen, so we'll probably never fight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hedge (Chicago, IL): What's the one thing that sets you apart from your competition?
Tim Sylvia: (3:07 PM ET ) I think my size, reach advantage and the never quit attitude.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jim (ny): hi, If you were not in UFC what do u have done for ur carrer?
Tim Sylvia: (3:08 PM ET ) I think I would have still had my own business up in Maine, construction business. Painting, sheetrocking, electrical work.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diggity Pvd, RI: Do you ever think of what you might do after the UFC?
Tim Sylvia: (3:09 PM ET ) When I retire, I'm gonig to say in Iowa and persue the acting career a little bit. I start my own hunting show starts in August. We start filming in August on the Outdoor Channel. It won't be on the air until next year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judas: Beaumont TX: Tim, That was a great fight against Andrei at UFC 61. Who do you look to fight next? I heard Jeff Monson is now the number one contender, if so how are you going to prepare for the fight!
Tim Sylvia: (3:10 PM ET ) Well, I think Monson is the No. 1 contender right now. I'm going to work with some wrestlers and work on knocking him out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike (Ny, Ny): Which pro athlete from another sport do you think would be the best UFC fighter? I was thinking Ray Lewis or Mike Tyson when he was in his prime
Tim Sylvia: (3:11 PM ET ) Yeah, I think Ray Lewis is pretty intense. I don't know if he can take a punch or likes to get punched. Mike Tyson was a boxer, he could punch.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nick (NY): Hey Tim, what division do you think is the strongest from top to bottom in the UFC?
Tim Sylvia: (3:12 PM ET ) From the top to the bottom, that's a good question. I'm thinking the lightweight division and possibly the welterweight division.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nick San Diego, CA: Will you fight andre arlofski again?
Tim Sylvia: (3:12 PM ET ) I think if Andrei stays in the UFC and puts at least four wins together, if I'm still the champ, absolutely, we'll fight again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger (NYC): How do you feel about certain MMA "experts" saying that you would have no chance against Pride heavyweights such as Fedor or Cro Cop? How do you view Pride as compared to UFC?
Tim Sylvia: (3:13 PM ET ) I think we're all at the same level. They just seem to have more heavyweights at the top level. These "experts" aren't real fighters. They haven't been in the ring, they haven't trained. They claim to be experts but they're not.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dave, 'ville ky: how long have you been training? what advice would you have for someone wanting to start a MMA career?
Tim Sylvia: (3:15 PM ET ) I've been in MMA training for about seven years. The best advice for anyone to get involved would be to join an MMA school. If not, then to join seperate schools for each one and just train and lift and do polymetrics on your own.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto Ontario: First of all-mad respect to you for defending the belt! You are a phenomenal fighter and you really don't get the treatment or respect you deserve. Does it help or hinder your mental state of mind when the majority of the crown perceives you to be an 'underdog'? Oh, and one more...what's your favorite book? Luv ya lots- a Canadian chick named Zoe
Tim Sylvia: (3:16 PM ET ) I really block out the crowd. The only thing I hear is my corner. When I get a big shot in and I hear the crowd roar, that gets me energized, but for the most part I just listen to my corner.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt (Eugene, OR): If you could change the UFC rules, what would you change and what would you keep the same?
Tim Sylvia: (3:17 PM ET ) I would keep everything the same and I would add knees and kicks to the head to the ground. And I would add some knowledgeable judges. They don't have knowledgeable people judging the sport and I've seen the wrong decisions because of that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaun Cullowhee N.C.: Do you ever have anybody trying to test you outside of the ring?
Tim Sylvia: (3:18 PM ET ) I do have people that run their mouths. After the second time I beat Andrei, I had some people that say I can't beat him again. I do get people on my MySpace account saying I suck, but they're behind a keyboard, they won't say it to my face.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dallas Seattle WA: who is the most over rated fighter in your eyes
Tim Sylvia: (3:19 PM ET ) Shamrock.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan, Bangor, ME: Have you ever thought of a special edition fight against one of the so-called tough men from Pride? You know, show them once and for all that UFC is the place where the real men fight! GO Maine-iacs!
Tim Sylvia: (3:19 PM ET ) That's not up to me. I think everyone knows that I'm willing to fight any guy, any time, any place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tony (Texas): Did you think the Tito/Shamrock stoppage was bad?
Tim Sylvia: (3:20 PM ET ) I thought it was a very good decision. It looked like Shamrock was out cold on the second elbow and came to on the fourth elbow. He was out cold.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Justin (Rochester, NH): Tim- Good to se a New England guy on top. Were you suprised that Arloveski (sp?) stopped with the leg kicks in your bout? Also, can anyone beat Matt Hughes?
Tim Sylvia: (3:21 PM ET ) I wasn't surprised with him stopping the leg kicks, because I turned my knee and I thought I broke his leg or shin. I see Matt Hughes as unbeatable right now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelley (San Diego, CA): How do you think Bruce Lee would have fared in the UFC after a few years of MMA training?
Tim Sylvia: (3:22 PM ET ) I was a big Bruce Lee fan, but I don't think he would have done very well in the UFC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derek Oregon Ohio: Yo Timmy do you ever think about the possibilities of killing an opponent with one of your insane punches?
Tim Sylvia: (3:23 PM ET ) No, I've never thought of that. I really don't think something like that is possible. Maybe an ordinary person that I'm not fighting in the ring that could happen, but not a trained professional.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red Boston, MA: Red Sox, Pats and Celtics right?
Tim Sylvia: (3:23 PM ET ) Absolutely.
Tim Sylvia: (3:23 PM ET ) Let's not forget about the Red Sox.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dustin Baker, Watertown, NY.: Liddell or Sobral?
Tim Sylvia: (3:23 PM ET ) Definitely Liddell.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt: What is your opinion of Brandon Vera? See him as a possible title contender one day?
Tim Sylvia: (3:24 PM ET ) I think he's tough, but I think he's a little too small for heavyweight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott, Edmonton: Congrats on taking down the Pitbull again. In your opinion, who are the next wave of guys that are ready to step up and make a serious challenge for your crown?
Tim Sylvia: (3:25 PM ET ) I don't see anyone giving me a serious challenge in the future. Maybe if they get some more heavyweights in and get them some wins. But right now, I see myself being unstoppable in the next two fights.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Ashland Oregon: Tim, if you successfully defend your belt against Monson who do you think is next in line? Who would give you the most trouble in the UFC heavyweight lineup?
Tim Sylvia: (3:26 PM ET ) Maybe Brandon Vera.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff : (Methuen, MA): Tim, are you dissappointed that you didn't knock out Andrei in the last fight? Also, who do you feel is the best fighter pound for pound (other then yourself)????
Tim Sylvia: (3:27 PM ET ) I was disappointed with myself that I didn't knock him out. That's what I like to do, that's the way I like to end my fights. I think all the champions right now are tough. But if you had to go with just one, I'd have to go with Matt Hughes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott (San Francisco, CA): I heard that you passed out in your hotel room after the Arlovski fight. Is that true?
Tim Sylvia: (3:28 PM ET ) I had a slight concussion and I was dehydrated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Jersey City NJ: Who's the most important person in your development, and why?
Tim Sylvia: (3:28 PM ET ) Probably Matt Hughes and Steve. Two guys that have become the fighter I have become today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William (Canton,ohio): Who is your favorite band and is breaking benjamin a band you would like
Tim Sylvia: (3:30 PM ET ) I like a lot of music. For country, it's the Charlie Daniels Band, some of my favorite rock would be Creed. For rap it's Eminem or 50 Cent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tito (miami, FL): What do you think about UFC takin over boxing and becoming the ultimate contact sport?
Tim Sylvia: (3:31 PM ET ) I think it's already taking over boxing. I don't want to see boxing phased out in general, but we are better athletes and I would like to see us get better recognition. We're better athletes and better human beings. Boxing has a lot of thugs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt (Akron, OH): What is your hobbies outside of the UFC?
Tim Sylvia: (3:31 PM ET ) I do a lot of hunting and I play a lot of paintball.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
StevenJ (CHI): What is a typical training day for the champ like?
Tim Sylvia: (3:31 PM ET ) When I'm getting ready for a fight, I train close to five hours a day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh N.C.: How many days a week do you train leading into a title fight? How do you train stamina and adrenaline to maintain for three minute rounds
Tim Sylvia: (3:33 PM ET ) My championship fight was five, five-minute rounds. I usually train six days a week and take Sundays off. I do all sorts of stuff. The best thing is to purchase my new DVD that's coming out called, Reality Fighting. You can get it at RealityFighting.com. I answer questions on it and show how I train.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Walker, Boston: No more doubters, great job!! How do you feel about the weight classes? What about a World Cup Event every four years where the weight classes meet to determine the best fighter? You vs Matt Hughes or Chuck Lidell or Rich Franklin?
Tim Sylvia: (3:34 PM ET ) I don't really know about something like that. I'm really happy how the bouts are going now. I would like to see the titles unified.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeff (Miami): If you were training to fight yourself, how would you prep? How would you go about trying to be a fighter like you?
Tim Sylvia: (3:35 PM ET ) You know, I'm not going to answer that question, because I'm not going to give any of my future opponents any ideas. I'll just say to be prepared for a war and know that Tim Sylvia can go 5 five minute rounds.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike, South Bend, IN: What would you have done to that Zedane guy if he head-butted you?
Tim Sylvia: (3:36 PM ET ) I'd hit him with a flying knee and knock him out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt (Davenport, Iowa): What UFC fight was the first you ever watched?
Tim Sylvia: (3:37 PM ET ) I think I watched UFC 1 back in 1992. I had some friends tell me about it and said that it was this new sport. So I went to the store and rented it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt (Akron, OH): What made you want to start fighting in MMA?
Tim Sylvia: (3:38 PM ET ) It's just something that I fell into. I got into the sport and started doing it. I got into some fights in an amateur career. Went to a tournament in RI and knocked a guy out. I just fell in love with it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pat ( Brookline, NH): What is your most memorable fight of your career...Also what is the best UFC fight you have ever seen?
Tim Sylvia: (3:39 PM ET ) The most memorable fight of my career was me knocking out Arlovski in the second fight and I was a huge underdog. I knocked him out in the first few minutes. There's too many to name the best fight I've seen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blaine (Tucson, AZ): Do you think Dana White is crazy to want to spar with Tito Ortiz?
Tim Sylvia: (3:39 PM ET ) I think Dana White would beat Tito Ortiz in a sparring match, just boxing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad - Austin, TX: What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome as a UFC Champion?
Tim Sylvia: (3:40 PM ET ) I think coming back from a severe arm break. I broke my arm and had to come back and getting the confidence to keep fighting and keep training.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wes, Columbus, OH: Nice fight Tim. You seem to improve in each fight. If this fight goes down tomorrow night who do you pick? Bas or Sims?
Tim Sylvia: (3:41 PM ET ) Bas. Sims sucks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy (Pittsburgh): Why do you consider Shamrock overrated?
Tim Sylvia: (3:42 PM ET ) For him getting $1.5 million for fighting Ortiz. None of the other fighters are getting that kind of money. So for him to get that money, someone somewhere thinks he deserves it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Spartanburg SC: What fight that is not already schedulked would you most want to see?
Tim Sylvia: (3:42 PM ET ) Matt Hughes fight BJ Penn again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nick Waverly Iowa: Tim - you are obvioulsy one of the heavyiest hitters in the sport, what do you think it feels like to get hit by you?
Tim Sylvia: (3:43 PM ET ) That's a good question. Maybe someone hitting you upside the head with a baseball bat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh Greene, ME : Who are you idols in MMA and what legend would you most like to fight?
Tim Sylvia: (3:45 PM ET ) My idols are definitely Randy Cutour, Matt Hughes. I would like to fight Shamrock. That would be fun.
Tim Sylvia: (3:45 PM ET ) My idols are definitely Randy Cutour, Matt Hughes. I would like to fight Shamrock. That would be fun.
Tim Sylvia: (3:45 PM ET ) My idols are definitely Randy Cutour, Matt Hughes. I would like to fight Shamrock. That would be fun.
Tim Sylvia: (3:45 PM ET ) My idols are definitely Randy Cutour, Matt Hughes. I would like to fight Shamrock. That would be fun.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jordan (Provo, UT): Tim, what is it about your camp that makes you guys so dominant? Between yourself, Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin, you pretty much dominate the sport.
Tim Sylvia: (3:46 PM ET ) I think it's just the hard work ethic. Being in the midwest, it's really easy to focus on training. There's really not that much to keep us distracted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chowdah, Orange, CA: Ever go back to New England, or make it to any Sox games in your time off???
Tim Sylvia: (3:47 PM ET ) I haven't had an opportunity to get back there. I've only been back a few times since I went to Iowa. Now, being the champion, I've been so busy, it's hard getting back there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neal (Cupertino, CA): have you thought about what you want to do after your UFC career? coaching? managing?
Tim Sylvia: (3:48 PM ET ) No, that's not something that I'm really interested in going into. I see all the stress Pat goes through in having his own school and that's not something I want to go through.
Tim Sylvia: (3:49 PM ET ) Thanks for everyone that's been supporting me. Thanks to my major sponsors. And be sure to check out my website Tim-Sylvia.com.
|
