Despite standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 265 pounds, Tim Sylvia always seemed to be the underdog.
That never mattered much to “The Maine-iac” though, as he went on to win the UFC heavyweight championship twice over the course of an Octagon career that saw him fight — and beat — the best from 2002 to 2008.
The secret? As far as Sylvia was concerned, it all came from inside his chest.
“You can’t teach heart,” Sylvia said back in 2005. “Heart is something that you’re born with and blessed with. Some guys take an ass whipping and just want to lay down. I don’t lay down for no one.”
On Jan. 3, Sylvia retired from the sport of mixed martial arts at 38, leaving a 31-10, 1 no contest record and years worth of memories from his time at the top of the sport.
“Tim Sylvia was an important member of the UFC roster for several years after we first took over the company, and as a two-time heavyweight champion, he left his mark on the history books,” UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, said. “We, at Zuffa, wish him well in his retirement.”
Read more on Sylvia’s retirement at UFC.com >>
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@MMAFighting
