Post Affliction Video Interviews: Fedor, Sylvia, Arlovski and Barnett

Josh Barnett


Anrei Arlovski


Tim Sylvia


Fedor Emelianenko Part 1


Fedor Emelianenko Part 2

Quote of the Day: Tim Sylvia "I Don't Think Fedor is Human"

Fedor Emelianenko dispatched of former UFC Heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia in just 36 seconds at Affliction's inaugural MMA event on Saturday, "Affliction: Banned". The Russian Sambo king and former Pride Heavyweight champ attacked Tim Sylvia with a barrage of punches that sent Sylvia to the mat, then quickly taking his back and sinking in a rear-naked choke forcing a tap-out by Big Tim.

In the after-fight press conference Sylvia shared some of his thoughts on the fight.

"I know that I'm one of the best in the world," Sylvia said at the "Affliction: Banned" post-fight press conference. "I was amazed at how good Fedor is."

"[Emelianenko] hurt me right away and submitted me," Sylvia said. "The guy's a stud. I don't even think he's human."

"I'm human," Emelianenko said through an interpreter. "I get nervous just like the next person. But I just try for that not to affect me and just approach a fight in a calm manner."

"That guy hits hard," Sylvia said. "I've never been hit that hard before."

"I was definitely expecting there to be more of a feeling-out process," Sylvia said. "My manager says that it's good that [Emelianenko] did that because that means he gives me a lot of respect. He didn't want to go in there and play around. I guess I can kind of take that as a compliment."

"This guy is unreal," Sylvia said. "He's incredible, and I don't know if anybody's going to beat him for a while."

I thought it was an amazing display of hand speed by Fedor and a perfect performence to get U.S. fans interested in watching and learning more about him.

Tim Sylvia Video Interview, Talks Fedor Fight

Big Tim gives his thoughts on the Fedor fight, on Inside MMA.

**Breaking News** Fedor Confirms Fight with Tim Sylvia

Russian heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko has confirmed a bout with former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia, scheduled for July 19th. Here are more details from sherdog.

Top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) will fight Tim Sylvia (Pictures) 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 Arena 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.

Click Here for more

Tim Sylvia and UFC Part Ways, Sylvia Signs with Adrenaline MMA

Adrenaline MMA(formerly M-1 Global) has signed former UFC Heavyweight Champ Tim Sylvia and Former IFL Heavyweight standout Ben Rothwell. The announcement was made on "Inside MMA" earlier tonite. Here are some quotes from Sylvia from MMAjunkie.com

"I'll be real active, fighting six or seven times a year," Sylvia said. "Adrenaline is a new company that's just starting up, but they're allowing fighters to fight outside of their organization. That's huge... Take for instance my last fight. Granted, I loss, but I came out of there unhurt and unscathed. I could have fought a week or two later.

"Being 32 years old, I have four or five good years ahead of me. I plan to make the most of it."

Adrenaline MMA President and Sylvia's manager Monte Cox Weighs in.

"It's a chance for me to build an organization," Cox said. "We're not going to come in and be the UFC. Anyone who tries to do that is crazy.

"We're brand new. What we want to do is I want to identify exciting fighters, up-and-coming fighters, and give them a chance to perform on a big stage. These athletes are very inspiring, on halloween you can see no just kids but adult costumes for their favorite fighter, and that's why we hope we'll gather a big following and someday down the road be doing pay-per-views and such."

"We have two of the best heavyweights in the world to start off," Cox said of Adrenaline MMA.

Well, apparently that whole rebuttel that Sylvia did on his blog a couple weeks ago about how he loves the UFC and the UFC will always be his home was total BS!

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Tim Sylvia Prediction and Analysis

To read my full article on the Frank Mir vs Brock Lesnar fight CLICK HERE.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Tim Sylvia
If you've watched Pride for a long time like I have then this fight is one I've wanted to see for a long time. The styles couldn't be any more different, legendary Jiu-Jitsu vs size and strength. Big Tim is predicting a knockout, but this is Nogueira we're talkin about, the guy's chin is the stuff of legend. I don't care that Heath Herring caught him with a high kick, the fact is that he recovered and won that fight. I also think Nogueira's boxing is better than Sylvia, more technically sound and more speed also. Obviously Tim has the power advantage, I think this will be a close fight but ultimately I like Nogueira to win a decision.
Prediction-Nogueira by Decision

I will finish picking the rest of the card tommorow.

UFC 81 Teleconference Coverage

411mania.com covered the UFC 81 Teleconference here are the first ten notes from the conference.

●Dana White is not in on the conference call for UFC 81.

●Brock was asked about his mental toughness heading into his first bout in the UFC. He responded that he hopes so and he's looking forward to the challenge. He said the extended layoff between bouts has also allowed him to absorb as much as he possibly could.

●Brock was asked whether he'd be offended if he were the more experienced fighter (like Frank Mir) for fighting this inexperienced guy. Brock said Frank is a smart enough guy to know that Brock should be taken as a threat and Dana wouldn't have signed him had Dana not thought he could do well.

●Brock said everyone forgets he was an amateur wrestler for 18 years competing at a high level and both Frank and himself have a lot to lose in this. He said hopefully this was the start of the road toward becoming the UFC heavyweight champ.

●Brock's been training in MMA for about two years now and when asked about whether or not he picked up anything from his first fight, he said competition is in his blood. Wherever it takes place it doesn't matter. He said he will be very comfortable in the Octagon.

●Brock said the stand-up game and the ground game are something he's been paying particular attention to because he knows how important it is to be well-rounded.

●Frank Mir was asked about there being any pressure on him fighting the "pro wrestler." Mir said there was no pressure and cited Lesnar amateur wrestling experience. He said had he not decided to go wrestling Lesnar would probably be in MMA. Mir said if he beats Lesnar he should be in the conversation for the title because of all the publicity this bout is receiving.

●Frank said he's been 100% for a while now since the accident. He said he was 100% even back during his loss to Brandon Vera. Frank said he's been cleared physically by the doctor for a while now.

●Frank talked about the need to keep moving in this fight because of Brock's strength.

●Craig Borsari, UFC's Senior Vice President of Operations and Production, is on the call for Dana White.

Read all the notes, there's alot, by clicking here

If the audio becomes available I will post it here.