Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia can’t wait to get back in the octagon. And for his next bout, Sylvia has a mission – to regain the UFC heavyweight championship.

That opportunity is right around the corner and it will also be a chance for Sylvia to avenge only the second loss of his career. At UFC 51, Sylvia (20-2) was submitted by Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski (11-3) and the title was taken from his grasp. At UFC 59, Sylvia intends on putting the belt back around his waist.

 

Z-Files: How are you approaching the rematch with Arlovski?

Sylvia: I’m not a fool. I know it’s going to be a tough fight, but I hope he’s been keeping that belt nice and polished because I plan on getting it back.

 

Z-Files: Besides meeting a tough opponent in Arlovski, was there any sort of explanation behind that loss?

Sylvia: I think I was a little unprepared. A lot of people thought I was overconfident but that’s not the case. I’m always confident. I think I just didn’t let myself heal from the previous the fight and I rushed into that fight a little too soon. I definitely don’t think I underestimated him.

 

Z-Files: So what is your game plan to get the belt back?

Sylvia: I think he’s only got one weapon (right hand). I know what I have to do to overcome that. I think he’s shown that he’s got a weak jaw.

 

Z-Files: You definitely sound like you’re looking for the knockout.

Sylvia: I know I can knock him out. But the ground game is always an option. You can’t rule out using everything in your arsenal.

 

Z-Files: Does the Miletich Fighting System make you better prepared for a fight of this magnitude?

Sylvia: (MFS) makes you train harder and I take a lot of pride in knowing that I have trained harder for my fight than the guy I’m fighting.

 

Z-Files: Can you take me through a day of MFS training?

Sylvia: I start my workout with a two-mile run and then I get on the treadmill and run at 10 mph. I run 12-15 sprints and then some quick circuit training and some lifting. Then I hit the mitts with Pat and go home for two or three hours and eat and have a nap. I go back to the gym and spar and work on takedowns. I start out about eight to 10 weeks out from the fight and progress into it. Then the next three weeks are hell and the last two weeks before the fight I start to taper things off. It’s definitely one of the most intense training programs – I absolutely believe that.

 

Z-Files: How would rate the UFC’s heavyweight division right now?

Sylvia: Obviously Andrei Arlovski is the big dog right now. I’m the No. 1 contender but a guy like Paul Buentello is still in position. I think Frank Mir is still in there even though he came back and fought when he wasn’t ready (and lost to Marcio Cruz). There’s probably another two or three guys right in there as well.

 

Z-Files: What about the rumour that has Chuck Liddell moving up to the heavyweight division?

Sylvia: I don’t see why he’d do it. And I think if I beat Arlovski, he won’t do it because him and I are friends. He’s the big dog at 205 (pounds). There’s nobody that can beat him there and I think the good heavyweights would be real challenges for him.

 

Z-Files: What is your career highlight and career lowlight?

Sylvia: Winning the UFC heavyweight championship (at UFC 41 over Ricco Rodriguez) and having my arm broken (at UFC 48 in a loss to Frank Mir).

 

Z-Files: Do you see any similarities between the UFC heavyweight division and the heavyweight division in boxing which is short of real big-name fighters?

Sylvia: No because there’s so many different titles belts in boxing and guys don’t want to fight each other. In the UFC, there’s only one belt and everyone is hungry to get it.

 

Z-Files: You are a boxing fan but where do you see boxing and MMA in the future?

Sylvia: I love boxing but there’s no comparison anymore. Boxing is scared because we’re taking over. We’re already above them. In five years, it’s going to be unbelievable how huge the difference is. Boxing is where MMA was three years ago and the UFC is now where boxing was 10 years ago. I’m really proud of our sport. I was a huge fan before I got into it. Rich (Franklin) and I were talking the other day and I told him that even when I retire I’m still going to be a big fan.

 

Z-Files: How about Tim Sylvia becoming a coach, maybe on Season 4 of The Ultimate Fighter?

Sylvia: If I win the belt, it would be an idea they couldn’t deny. I really love the show – I love reality TV. If I was a coach, I’d just be me. It would be close to the styles of Matt (Hughes) and Rich.

 

Z-Files: Since you are such a fan of watching the fights, how about coming up to Canada and watching the Maximum Fighting Championship?

Sylvia: I would love to. I’ll go anywhere to watch good fights - and any place that I can go sell some of my clothes.