Tim Sylvia said he would consider coming back to the sport of MMA — but only for one fight against a specific opponent.
In light of Tito Ortiz knocking out Chuck Liddell on Saturday in a trilogy, the former UFC heavyweight champion said Sunday he would only exit retirement to step into the cage one last time for a rematch against fellow ex-titleholder Frank Mir. Sylvia and Mir fought for the vacant title at UFC 48 in 2004; Mir broke Sylvia’s arm with an armbar early in the first round.
“Only if frank mirr (sic) is open for one,” Sylvia wrote on Twitter when a user suggested he fight once more.
When Mir snapped Sylvia’s forearm, referee Herb Dean immediately noticed the injury and ended the fight. Sylvia argued with Dean after the fight, saying his arm was not broken. Later, he admitted that he knew it was, but just wanted to continue fighting. Dean’s stoppage was highly contested by fans in the form of booing, too, as they did not initially realize what had happened. Dean was later praised for his decision to halt the fight.
Sylvia said he has nothing against Mir; he simply wants to avenge his loss from over a decade ago.
“Just want that fight back,” Sylvia wrote. “I like and respect frank.”
Sylvia hasn’t competed since 2013, when he lost to Ruslan Magomedov at a Fight Nights event. The 44-year-old is on a three-fight skid, and hasn’t won since 2012, when he beat Randy Smith. Sylvia’s last UFC fight was a loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2008.
Mir has remained active over the years, most recently competing in the Bellator heavyweight grand prix. He lost to Russian legend Fedor Emelianenko in the tournament’s opening round by first-round knockout. Mir left the UFC in 2016 after two consecutive losses. His last win was a knockout of Todd Duffee in July 2015.
Mir is set to face Javy Ayala in the Bellator 212 co-main event on Dec. 14 in Honolulu, Hawaii.