How Tim Sylvia Can Beat Fedor And The Aftermath

 

This weekend a fight is taking place that to the casual fan bears little significance.  However, this fight could very well be the most important fight happening this weekend.  Tim Sylvia vs. Fedor Emelianenko is a fight that hardcore fans have been talking about forever…and now it’s going to come to fruition.

This fight answers many questions like:

1.  Is Fedor still the #1 HW in the world? 
2. Who was better PRIDE or UFC?(even though neither fight for those respective organizations anymore…it will come up
3. Can Fedor survive a crushing 1-2 combo from Sylvia? 
4. Can Sylvia survive if this fight goes to the ground? 

Let’s get right into it…

Fedor hasn’t fought a credible opponent since fighting Mark Hunt in December of 2006.  Sylvia has faced Antonio “Big Nog” Nogueira, Brandon Vera, Randy Couture, and Jeff Monson within the past two years….all very credible opponents.

I think this fight will be very similar to the Fedor/Cro Cop fight that took place back in 2005.  Sylvia is a feared striker just as Mirko was back then, but with less kicks in his arsenal…which will work to his advantage.  Fedor was able to take Mirko down almost at will because of Mirko’s propensity to throw kicks.  Sylvia primarily uses his hands more so than kicks…although he has the ability to kick well…I think he would be smart to abstain from using them often due to risking a takedown.  Also, Sylvia is much larger than Cro Cop was back then…and has much better cardio so he will not tire in the later rounds.  Therefore, he should be able to dictate the pace of the fight. 

Fedor has good standup…and throws quick looping punches that overwhelm his opponents.  I think that could be his downfall in this fight.  If Sylvia can keep his composure under pressure and throw punches straight down the middle…he’ll have a good night.   The following are 3 keys that Sylvia must implement to win this fight:

#1.  Avoid the clinch and keep this fight standing at all cost

#2.  Use combinations and throw punches straight down the middle

#3.  Use his reach and keep Fedor on the defensive

If he does those 3 things…odds are he will win via decision or by doctor stoppage due to cuts(he’s prone to bleed with that thin skin).

Now let’s talk about the lineage between these two fighters with Big Nog being the common denominator.  Currently Big Nog is the UFC HW champion…who defeated Sylvia to earn that belt.  Fedor has two dominating wins over Big Nog via decision.  Also, Sylvia lost to Randy Couture via decision and currently Couture wants to fight Fedor for the #1 spot.  However, if Sylvia defeats Fedor…wouldn’t we need to see Couture vs. Big Nog for the rightful owner of the #1 spot?

In reality it’s a match we should have seen already…however, Couture isn’t willing to fulfill his contract with the UFC.  If Sylvia wins this fight against Fedor…maybe Couture will swallow his Pride(no pun intended) and do the right thing…and face Big Nog.  Hell, Dana White could toss Frank Mir aside and put Big Nog/Couture on the always stacked December card…since Mir hasn’t really earned his shot at the title.  However, I do understand why he’s in that spot. 

Let’s all sit back and enjoy this one…Sylvia/Fedor could be one for the ages.