BREAKING NEWS:Fedor Emiliananko will fight Tim Sylvia on July 19

Top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko will fight Tim Sylvia on July 19. The Russian mixed martial arts champion confirmed the bout to Sherdog.com on Tuesday.

"[Sylvia] is a good fighter, a strong fighter, the former UFC heavyweight champion, which is important," Emelianenko said via telephone from Stary Oskol, Russia. "I am looking forward to fighting him and training hard for this fight."

While Emelianenko was short on details, Sherdog.com has learned through sources close to the negotiations that Fedor-Sylvia would headline a card tentatively scheduled for the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the home base of HDNet Fights.

HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon declined to comment on the report, however sources indicate the bout will air on the Mark Cuban-owned network and is rumored to be promoted by Affliction, a clothing brand closely tied to MMA.

Affliction had been connected with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, however a June 28 Las Vegas date has since been discarded.

Emelianenko, a 31-year-old sambo practitioner, has faced criticism from media and fans alike after a string of fights against less than stellar competition. Sylvia would represent the Russian's first ranked opponent since his unanimous decision over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic nearly three years ago.

Widely regarded as the top heavyweight fighter in the world, Emelianenko (27-1-0, 1 NC) was recently freed from a letter of intent binding him to the now-defunct M-1 Global promotion.

Sylvia, 32, is coming off a submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February at UFC 81. After a spirited performance that saw him batter his foe at will with strikes, Sylvia (24-4-0) eventually fell victim to a classic Nogueira come-from-behind performance and succumbed to a guillotine choke early in the third round.

 

tim sylvia will leave in a body bag

 

:shit:

 

::

 

Oh well, looks like Fedor\Couture ain't gonna happen.

Not after Tim KO's Fedor.


TFK

 

I admire your support for Tim because he gets alot of hate, but I thought he looked great against Nogeira even in defeat.

 

Sylvia wanted a bigger contract from the UFC? If he beats Fedor, you can damn sure bet he'll get it.


TFK

 

I would think so,but he has a tall mountain to climb.Fedor seems excited and motivated for this as he should be.

 

Sylvia might die:bears: :bears:

 

Great news!!! I knew Fedor would step it up again!! And its gonna be on HD net fights too! Props to Mark Cuban! Ohhh and DAMN in Dallas too! REED you BASTARD!!!!

It should be a fun scrap.

LOL @ Dipshit Dana White. :laughing:

 

I can appreciate Fedor trying to get what he's worth, but it seems like he's trying to hurt mma, rather than fix it. Sylvia first ranked fighter he's faced in 3 years? What is Sylvia ranked, 25th?

 

Actually, 4th or 5th, depending where you look.

TFK

 

Uhhh no lower than 5th. Was beating the shit outta Nog before the late sub too. Sylvia is a stylistic nightmare for most HW's.

 

I think he will be for Fedor but at the same time,when it comes to preparation and exposing a fighter weakness there's nobody better than the russian.

 

::

REED was SHOCKED when he Read that...In DALLAS??!!!...WOW!!!!:eeeek: ...

REED's Never Seen MMA In Person, but he'll B ALL OVER this Shit...

Hopefully, REED can Get a Pic w/Fedor, then REED'll have Pics w/the Best BOXER & MMAist N the World...


REED:cheer:

 

REED Thinks Sylvia's Size will HURT him vs. Fedor...

Sylvia's Sooooooo BIG, Fedor can Literally PICK & CHOOSE which Area to Exploit...He just Might Whip Sylvia's Ass on STRIKES Alone...



REED

 

Great fight, bout fucking time Fedor fought a live body! Just hope this'll get shown in the UK.:cheer:

 

:: I love your support for the worst big name pro athlete in the world.

 

Martin Grammatica is kind of a big name.

 

Someone's gotta root for him, might as well be me.

And calling a top 5 Heayweight, who is a former 2 time UFC Champion, the worst pro athlete in the world is insane. But I understand, it's the 'cool' thing to do, to bash Sylvia at all costs. That's Sherdog 101.

TFK

 

Well I won't go as far as to pick Tim to win, but I also think it's ridiculous to think Fedor walks right through him.

Tim is a big, competent striker that's been in with some of the best submission guys around. He's tough as nails and absolutely won't quit.

He beat the living shit out of the concensus #2 HW in the world for 2 and a half rounds. He fought on even terms for 5 rounds with the previous UFC HW Champion.

Personally I just can't discredit a guy like Sylvia that I think will be a difficult test for Fedor. And I wouldn't be shocked at all if Tim pulled off the upset via 2nd round KO.

 

It wouldn't shock me at all if Tim win the fight. I don't get all the hate for Sylvia. He's a good fighter whether people want to admit it or not. Nobody liked Tim ever since he wore his belt everywhere he went. I think that started the Tim hate. In any case, he is a huge puncher and just a giant in general. Fedor was all scuffed up from a couple of blows by the freak show Choi. If Tim gets on top of Fedor it will be a lot worse. Fedor certainly will not want to stand with Tim. I think it's a good fight, and it's about fucking time Fedor fought someone in his own weight class that isn't a joke.

 

It's a number of reasons. One, he doesn't look like what people think a fighter should look like. He's pasty, doughy and awkward. He had a couple of stinkers in a row, but the 3rd Arlovksi fight was more his fault then Tim's, and style-wise, you knew the Monson fight was gonna be a snoozer.

Plus, he's a goof. People got on him for wearing the belt everywhere.

And mostly, it's the 'Me Too!' mentality. When people see something is 'cool', they have to be a part of it. It's the cool thing to do to bash on Sylvia, and make him out to be the worst fighter ever when his resume isn't matched by all that many heavyweights.

TFK

 

Then I stand corrected. Obviously, I'm guilty of underrating Sylvia like a lot of people do. I don't think he sucks, I just figure that there has to be 20 guys better than him in the world. Guess not.

 

I might be alone here, but I seriously doubt it would be "easy" for anyone, to defeat that half-tonne, 9ft Korean, the size difference was staggering, and the giant knew how to strike, I mean just to take the motherfucker down meant you were at risk of being knocked out by the sheer weight, in my opinion that was a SOLID win for Fedor :nono: .

 

I thought boxings heavyweight division was trash.

Sylvia is a top 5 fighter :: There must be a whole lot of garbage in MMA for that to be the case.

 

You don't know much about MMA that much is certain.

 

You think Sylvia is good?

 

I don't think he is, he just is. Has he lost to any scrubs? He's only lost to Mir (pre accident) Arlovski, Couture and big nog and he beat Arlovski twice.

If Sylvia sucks, who IS good?

 

If you make your living performing in public with your shirt off, you shouldn't look like Tim Sylvia.

He makes it look like anyone could be a pro fighter. ::