Influcted
19-07-2008, 13:39
It’s one of the most important heavyweight matches in recent memory and without question the litmus test for Affliction’s future. The clothing company has assembled one of the greatest MMA events ever on paper, and the show’s success hinges primarily on one bout: the main event featuring world-recognized heavyweight king Fedor Emelianenko (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Fedor-Emelianenko-1500) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1500/)) squaring off against two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)).
Looking at the Las Vegas odds just days prior to the encounter, Fedor is the prohibitive favorite. Most members of the media and thousands of fans believe Sylvia stands little to no chance of pulling off the upset. But what do fighters think?
Sherdog.com polled more than 25 fighters and trainers to get their thoughts:
Urijah Faber (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Urijah-Faber-8847) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/8847/)): I think Fedor will win -- second round via armbar or GNP. But I’m rooting for Tim because he’s my buddy.
Gabe Ruediger (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Gabe-Ruediger-5542) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/5542/)): I’m going with Fedor. He always comes up with a great game plan and is just that dominant. Sylvia is a proper test and will put up a good fight, though.
John Hackleman: I like Sylvia to score a TKO sometime in the second, maybe even the first. I’m a huge Fedor fan because he’s like a freak of nature, but you just can’t count Sylvia out.
Nick Thompson (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nick-Thompson-7124) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/7124/)): Fedor via armbar.
Cung Le (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cung-Le-14883) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/14883/)): Fedor by decision.
Guy Mezger (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Guy-Mezger-14) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/14/)): I’m going with Fedor, but Tim has a good chance because of his jab. He hits hard and he may be able to keep Fedor away and wear him down. Not likely, but maybe.
Mac Danzig (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mac-Danzig-3396) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/3396/)): On the ground Fedor wins, but stand-up is anybody’s game. People always underestimate Tim’s boxing, and Fedor has never fought anybody with a jab like Tim’s. I still think Fedor will win, but Sylvia is the toughest style matchup for a guy like Fedor, and it’s going to be a lot closer than most people think.
Dan Henderson (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Dan-Henderson-195) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/195/)): Fedor by ground-and-pound or armbar -- first round.
Micah Miller (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Micah-Miller-15870) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/15870/)): I predict that Fedor wins this fight. He is more well-rounded and defeated Mark Hunt (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mark-Hunt-10668) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/10668/)) -- a bigger, much better striker than Sylvia.
Kevin Randleman (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Kevin-Randleman-162) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/162/)): Fedor wins, but [he] had a long layoff. Could get drawn out, but Fedor wins.
Matt Lindland (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Matt-Lindland-276) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/276/)): I would like to see Tim be a spoiler. All I know is I’m excited to see it.
Jaime Fletcher (http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=16612): They will trade a little. Fedor will take him down. Work some ground-and-pound and then probably hit a submission. His ground is nasty, and Tim’s prone to it. It won’t be a long fight.
Nathan Marquardt (http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=1712): I say Sylvia by TKO round three.
Doug Marshall (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Doug-Marshall-9510) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/9510/)): I think Fedor in the first round.
Travis Wiuff (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Travis-Wiuff-3660) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/3660/)): Great fight! Tim has a way of surprising people when no one thinks he can win. I’ve seen him train, and his work ethic is second to none. Fedor hasn’t fought a significant heavyweight in three years. I say Tim by decision.
Din Thomas (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Din-Thomas-1301) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1301/)): For years I’ve underestimated Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)). This time I think I’m gonna be in the minority and pick Tim and his long right hand. Come to think of it, I am a minority.
Ron Frazier: I think Fedor finally gets Tim down and submits him. But he’ll take some damage in the process. Fight goes into the third round. Fedor by armbar.
Marc Laimon: Fedor should pick Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)) up and slam him on his head, then pummel him for a TKO or submit him. But Tim could knock him out. Fedor is a way better athlete, and that’s who my money is on.
Marvin Eastman (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Marvin-Eastman-339) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/339/)): Fedor by TKO in the third.
Richie Hightower (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Richie-Hightower-10346) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/10346/)): Fedor by whatever he wants.
Troy Mandaloniz (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Troy-Mandaloniz-12096) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/12096/)): Fedor will destroy him.
David Loiseau (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/David-Loiseau-903) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/903/)): It will be a very interesting fight. Fedor is a beast but hasn’t fought a lot recently. Sylvia’s been fighting top-level competition. Anxious to see how it will turn out. Not sure who will win.
Eddy Millis (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Eddy-Millis-1230) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1230/)): Fedor subs him in the first round.
Clay Guida (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Clay-Guida-8184) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/8184/)): Fedor by sub when it goes to the ground. Any round.
Alan Belcher (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alan-Belcher-10967) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/10967/)): Fedor will submit him in the first.
Shawn Tompkins (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shawn-Tompkins-899) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/899/)): I am going to go on record and say Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)) by KO in the second round. I love Fedor, but I just have a feeling for Sylvia in this one.
Charlie Valencia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Charlie-Valencia-503) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/503/)): I pick Fedor only because he is more athletic and better skilled. The only chance that Tim has is by KO, and that’s highly unlikely.
Pros picking Fedor: 20
Pros picking Sylvia: 5
Pros unsure: 2
Sherdog.com
Looking at the Las Vegas odds just days prior to the encounter, Fedor is the prohibitive favorite. Most members of the media and thousands of fans believe Sylvia stands little to no chance of pulling off the upset. But what do fighters think?
Sherdog.com polled more than 25 fighters and trainers to get their thoughts:
Urijah Faber (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Urijah-Faber-8847) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/8847/)): I think Fedor will win -- second round via armbar or GNP. But I’m rooting for Tim because he’s my buddy.
Gabe Ruediger (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Gabe-Ruediger-5542) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/5542/)): I’m going with Fedor. He always comes up with a great game plan and is just that dominant. Sylvia is a proper test and will put up a good fight, though.
John Hackleman: I like Sylvia to score a TKO sometime in the second, maybe even the first. I’m a huge Fedor fan because he’s like a freak of nature, but you just can’t count Sylvia out.
Nick Thompson (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nick-Thompson-7124) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/7124/)): Fedor via armbar.
Cung Le (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cung-Le-14883) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/14883/)): Fedor by decision.
Guy Mezger (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Guy-Mezger-14) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/14/)): I’m going with Fedor, but Tim has a good chance because of his jab. He hits hard and he may be able to keep Fedor away and wear him down. Not likely, but maybe.
Mac Danzig (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mac-Danzig-3396) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/3396/)): On the ground Fedor wins, but stand-up is anybody’s game. People always underestimate Tim’s boxing, and Fedor has never fought anybody with a jab like Tim’s. I still think Fedor will win, but Sylvia is the toughest style matchup for a guy like Fedor, and it’s going to be a lot closer than most people think.
Dan Henderson (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Dan-Henderson-195) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/195/)): Fedor by ground-and-pound or armbar -- first round.
Micah Miller (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Micah-Miller-15870) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/15870/)): I predict that Fedor wins this fight. He is more well-rounded and defeated Mark Hunt (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mark-Hunt-10668) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/10668/)) -- a bigger, much better striker than Sylvia.
Kevin Randleman (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Kevin-Randleman-162) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/162/)): Fedor wins, but [he] had a long layoff. Could get drawn out, but Fedor wins.
Matt Lindland (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Matt-Lindland-276) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/276/)): I would like to see Tim be a spoiler. All I know is I’m excited to see it.
Jaime Fletcher (http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=16612): They will trade a little. Fedor will take him down. Work some ground-and-pound and then probably hit a submission. His ground is nasty, and Tim’s prone to it. It won’t be a long fight.
Nathan Marquardt (http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=1712): I say Sylvia by TKO round three.
Doug Marshall (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Doug-Marshall-9510) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/9510/)): I think Fedor in the first round.
Travis Wiuff (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Travis-Wiuff-3660) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/3660/)): Great fight! Tim has a way of surprising people when no one thinks he can win. I’ve seen him train, and his work ethic is second to none. Fedor hasn’t fought a significant heavyweight in three years. I say Tim by decision.
Din Thomas (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Din-Thomas-1301) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1301/)): For years I’ve underestimated Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)). This time I think I’m gonna be in the minority and pick Tim and his long right hand. Come to think of it, I am a minority.
Ron Frazier: I think Fedor finally gets Tim down and submits him. But he’ll take some damage in the process. Fight goes into the third round. Fedor by armbar.
Marc Laimon: Fedor should pick Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)) up and slam him on his head, then pummel him for a TKO or submit him. But Tim could knock him out. Fedor is a way better athlete, and that’s who my money is on.
Marvin Eastman (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Marvin-Eastman-339) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/339/)): Fedor by TKO in the third.
Richie Hightower (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Richie-Hightower-10346) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/10346/)): Fedor by whatever he wants.
Troy Mandaloniz (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Troy-Mandaloniz-12096) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/12096/)): Fedor will destroy him.
David Loiseau (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/David-Loiseau-903) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/903/)): It will be a very interesting fight. Fedor is a beast but hasn’t fought a lot recently. Sylvia’s been fighting top-level competition. Anxious to see how it will turn out. Not sure who will win.
Eddy Millis (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Eddy-Millis-1230) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1230/)): Fedor subs him in the first round.
Clay Guida (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Clay-Guida-8184) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/8184/)): Fedor by sub when it goes to the ground. Any round.
Alan Belcher (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alan-Belcher-10967) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/10967/)): Fedor will submit him in the first.
Shawn Tompkins (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shawn-Tompkins-899) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/899/)): I am going to go on record and say Tim Sylvia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tim-Sylvia-1061) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/1061/)) by KO in the second round. I love Fedor, but I just have a feeling for Sylvia in this one.
Charlie Valencia (http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Charlie-Valencia-503) (Pictures (http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/503/)): I pick Fedor only because he is more athletic and better skilled. The only chance that Tim has is by KO, and that’s highly unlikely.
Pros picking Fedor: 20
Pros picking Sylvia: 5
Pros unsure: 2
Sherdog.com