Tim Sylvia Interview: by Alien8r In the aftermath of the steroid scandal involving current UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, the Mixed Martial Arts community has been left in chaos with a littany of questions going unanswered. Questions that Tim Sylvia has answered in a tell all interview with IronLife. Read on and find out exactly what the truth is straight from the mouth of the man at the center of this controversy. Ironlife.com: Are you nervous about the Vegas hearing? Tim Sylvia: I’m not really nervous, I mean I know what I am up for and am preparing myself for the worst. We will just wait and see what happens when we get there. Ironlife.com: Do you feel that this has affected the legitimacy of Team MFS? Tim Sylvia: Um, I would like to hope it doesn’t. I mean it is something that I had done on my own. It had nothing to do with the team. I just did it on my own Ironlife.com: Do you think you should be stripped of the title? Tim Sylvia: No I don’t. I fought Ricco Rodriguez and I tested negative for any anabolic steroids in that fight. This was my first attempt so you know suspend me for 3 to 6 months and then still [let me be] the number one contender and let me fight them [all]. Ironlife.com: Do you think you are still a legitimate champion? Tim Sylvia: what I used was just for my appearance, when I beat somebody I knock them out. Steroids have nothing to do with my boxing skills. Ironlife.com: Do you feel guilty about being hyped up by the UFC only to let them down? Tim Sylvia: I do feel guilty about letting the UFC down, absolutely, I mean they have a right to pump me up and stuff because I am a true champion and I am a new breed of heavyweight. I have good boxing skills and I knock people out when I take them on. I hope to come back after this and let everybody know that I’m here to stay for a long time and the next person I’m in the ring with is in trouble. Ironlife.com: Do you feel you have let down your fans? Tim Sylvia: Yes, absolutely. I mean I made a poor judgement and I’ll be paying the price for it. I feel bad about my fans and my friends and my teammates. [There are] a lot of people out there that I feel I have let down. Ironlife.com: How have your teammates responded to you since hearing the news? Tim Sylvia: It’s been overwhelming and graceful, you know they just said "hey we know were human and we all make mistakes." I said I’m so sorry that I let you guys down and they said "hey don’t worry about it we are a team and we will take some of the heat from you, we don’t mind." Ironlife.com: Have you had much contact with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta? Tim Sylvia: Yes, I have been talking to Dana frequently everyday. Ironlife.com: What has their reaction been to this? Tim Sylvia: He’s just been real supportive and hopes the outcome isn’t to harsh and that I can come back and fight for them real soon. Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, made the following statement concerning UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia: "We are very disappointed that the lab tests came back and showed that he used steroids. We fully support Tim in his efforts to respond to these charges and to work with the Nevada State Athletic Commission to come to a fair and just resolution. We also fully support the NSAC in whatever its judgment might be." Ironlife.com: What is your comment on Dana White’s statement? Tim Sylvia: I think he was very professional about it and I agree with whatever Dana says about me. You know, he’s been a great person to work for and he has supported me and I am going to support the decision he makes at whatever it is. Whatever my consequences are I will sit down and take it like a man. Ironlife.com: How do you plan on defending yourself? Tim Sylvia: Guilty, I mean I did it and I have admitted it. You know, go in there and say I hope they have mercy on me basically and let them know that I screwed up and apologize. Whatever they decide to give me I’ll take. Ironlife.com: What kind of punishment do you expect to be given? Tim Sylvia: I’m guessing probably 6 months suspension and probably some sort of a fine. Ironlife.com: If the Nevada State Athletic Commission takes away your belt and bans you from fighting in the United States for any period of time, can we expect to see you fighting overseas? Tim Sylvia: No, if that’s the punishment they are going to give me I am going to take the punishment. I’m not going to stab them in the back and say you know then to hell with you guys. I want to fight for the UFC. I have a lot of unfinished business with the UFC. So if they take my belt, I will be coming back to the UFC to straighten things out. Ironlife.com: The public and media have a misconception about steroids in general, what are your feelings on this topic? Tim Sylvia: It’s just something that’s not very educated. Everyone thinks steroids like "oh big and strong no wonder he does this or does that." There are a lot of different steroids out there. Steroids are not the miracle drug. you still have to train your ass off. Ironlife.com: What kind of effect did the winstrol have on your training and physical abilities? Tim Sylvia: Right now I’m not admitting to what I took I’m just admitting that I took anabolic steroids. What I took had nothing to do with my training at all and I didn’t it take long enough for it to have any effect on my fight anyway. Not that what I took had any effect on my fighting, it was mainly for hardening and physique. Ironlife.com: Do you feel that even without the leaning, hardening and strengthening effects of the anabolic steroid that you could have still been in as good pre-fight shape? Tim Sylvia: Oh absolutely. I was in Utah training for 5 weeks so I was in tiptop shape for that fight. It had nothing to do with what I was using. Ironlife.com: With out breaking any ones anonymity is steroid use a popular thing in mixed martial arts? Tim Sylvia: Yes, it is. Ironlife.com: Do you think that fighters are using steroids regularly to enhance their ability and strength? Tim Sylvia: No I don’t think so. I think in this sport a lot of people are using stuff that you know are for different reasons. You know, to keep themselves healthy [because of] the training regiment that we put ourselves through. But you know, I can’t really speak for anyone else. Ironlife.com: Was your primary training partner, Jeremy Horn, aware of your steroid use? If so, how did he feel about the situation? Did he rebuke you or encourage such activity?? Tim Sylvia: No, he wasn’t. Ironlife.com: Where do you see yourself down the road Tim? Tim Sylvia: I see myself being the HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD. Ironlife.com: There ya go. I hope everything works out in your favor Tim. Tim Sylvia: I do too. Ironlife.com: We appreciate you giving Ironlife.com the opportunity for this interview. Thank you. Tim Sylvia: No problem man. [back]