Tim Sylvia

Tim ‘Maine-iac’ Sylvia

Timothy Deane Sylvia (born March 5, 1976), also known as “The Maine-iac,” is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He is currently the Heavyweight Champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is also a member of the Miletich Fighting Systems.
Career Highlights

One of the most disturbing sports injuries ever captured on film occurred at UFC 48, when Sylvia fought Frank Mir for the vacant Heavyweight championship. Mir trapped Sylvia’s right arm in an armbar submission attempt. However, Sylvia’s arm was actually positioned sideways, so that between Sylvia’s strength and a lack of leverage, Mir couldn’t properly execute the move. Unable to free himself, Tim rose to his feet, most likely in an attempt to either gain enough leverage to pull his arm out or to use his superior strength to pick Mir off the mat and slam him. As Sylvia stood up, Frank was able to twist his arm and complete the armbar. Sylvia refused to tap out, and as Mir applied more pressure, Tim’s radius snapped about three inches below his elbow, resulting in a very sudden and noticeable bulge in the skin. Referee Herb Dean immediately stopped the fight and the ring doctor declared Sylvia unable to continue. Sylvia took exception to this decision and repeatedly claimed his arm wasn’t broken, even touching it and moving it around to demonstrate. He demanded the match be restarted, but the judges and UFC President Dana White, acting on the doctor’s opinion and in the interests of Sylvia’s health, officially ended the fight and Mir was given the title. White ordered Sylvia to be taken to a local hospital, where an x-ray revealed that his arm was in fact broken. Sylvia took several months off to recuperate, but this match raised his status even higher in many fans eyes.