For the first time in three years, former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (Pictures) will compete outside the Octagon.
The 6-foot-8 mixed martial artist announced his departure Friday evening during an appearance on HDNet's "Inside MMA."
"I've pretty much come to a crossroads in my career," Sylvia said. "And there's a lot of big things happening in the MMA world, and especially outside of the UFC."
As Sylvia, 32, spoke of the move -- which came with the UFC's blessing despite one bout remaining on a contract that was set to expire in July -- the No. 4 ranked heavyweight according to Sherdog.com was announced as officially joining Adrenaline MMA, a newly-branded promotion headed by his manager, Monte Cox.
"Adrenaline is a new promotion, but it allows fighters to fight for other organizations -- that's huge," Sylvia said. "I've got three to four years left and want to fight as much as possible, so this is the perfect choice for me at this time."
On Monday, Cox told Sherdog.com that his new organization, which replaces M-1 Global, would debut June 14 in Chicago, Ill. Cox will act as President and CEO. Bob Clark (COO) and Brian Patton (VP) follow Cox from the defunct M-1 Global, which failed to promote an event during its five months in operation.
In addition to Sylvia (24-4), Adrenaline MMA announced it secured the services of former International Fight League star Ben Rothwell (Pictures), currently ranked No. 10 at heavyweight by Sherdog.com.
"I'm ready to see how I fare against the best heavyweights in the world," said the 26-year-old Wisconsinite, whom like Sylvia is managed by Cox.
Sylvia and Rothwell (29-5), teammates at Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, Iowa, signed multi-fight contracts with Adrenaline MMA.
"Japan's starting to get some big shows going again, and Affliction show is going to be happening," Sylvia said on HDNet. "So I'm looking to fight in all of them. Be real active, fight five or six times a year. And there's a guy out there named Fedor [Emelianenko], who I'd like to fight. And I think the only way that's going to happen is by me leaving the UFC."
Sylvia racked up a 9-4 record during his tenure with the UFC, which began in 2002 when he battered Wesley Correira (Pictures). In just his second bout in the Octagon, Sylvia stunned Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures) at UFC 41 to capture the organization's heavyweight crown.
Following his first defense of the belt, a knockout over Gan McGee (Pictures), Sylvia tested positive for anabolic steroids. In his return to competition following a suspension and fine, not only did the "Maine-iac" fail to recapture the belt he was forced to vacate, Frank Mir (Pictures) snapped Sylvia's right arm below the elbow.
Having worked his way back into the title picture, Sylvia took control of the belt for a second time with a first-round knockout of Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) in April 2006. He gave up the title 10 months later when Randy Couture (Pictures) scored a dominant five-round decision.
In what would be his last UFC bout before moving to Adrenaline MMA, Sylvia fell short in a battle for the interim UFC heavyweight title against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures).
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