Tim Sylvia Officially Retires

Tim "Maine-iac" Sylvia has officially retired after fighting professionally for 12 years and amassing a 31-10-1 record. The Miletich Fighting System's Heavyweight was a 2 time UFC Heavyweight Champion and is tied with Randy Couture for "Most Successful Heavyweight title defenses" at 3. 

Sylvia was a 6'8" monster who was known for his power striking and finished 20 foes by (T)KO. Tim won the UFC Heavyweight title in 2003 by defeating Ricco Rodriguez by KO in the very 1st round. In 2004 at UFC 48, opponent Frank Mir locked on an armbar but refused to tapout as his radius bone snapped it in two! Sylvia returned from the gruesome injury to rematch rival Andrei Arlovski at UFC 59 whom he defeated by TKO in the 1st round to reclaim the title. 

Though oft derided by critical fans for his physique, Tim was not a natural athlete, but a man of will who used hard work and determination to attain success in a unforgiving sport. Sylvia defeated notable fighters such as Ben Rothwell, Jeff Monson, Brandon Vera, and his most hated rival, Andrei Arlovski, twice.