“I Wanted To Look Better”- UFC Legend Talks Failed Drug Test

Tim Sylvia is a name that still brings back amazing memories from vintage UFC Heavyweight. The American is a former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion.

But that is not all that he is famous for. In one of the most unique cases of drug abuse in the UFC, Sylvia was found guilty of using the steroid Stanozolol. Champion at the time, he voluntarily gave up his title. UFC also suspended him for six months. This came immediately after he beat “The Giant” Gan McGee.

What is unique in all this is his reason for using the steroid. Sylvia recalled the incidents which led to his suspension in the latest edition of “Where are they now?” on UFC’s Youtube channel.

He said, “After the Gan McGee fight, everyone knows I tested positive for steroids. I didn’t do it because I wanted to be bigger or stronger or better than everybody else. I did it ’cause I wanted to look better. [I] did something stupid, and I owned up to it. And I gave up my belt.”

Truly one of the most bizarre cases of drug abuse! However, “The Maniac” came back to the UFC following his six-month suspension. After facing two defeats, he finally beat Andre Arlovski to reclaim the title.

Nearing the end of his splendid run in MMA, Sylvia bid goodbye to his title for the last time when he fought “The Natural” Randy Couture. Speaking about the same, he said, “If I was gonna lose.., I’m glad it was him rather than anybody else.”

After the UFC had a falling out with Randy, Tim had one last shot at the title against Rodrigo Nogueira. Even though he meted out a lot of damage to the opponent, Sylvia got caught in a submission move, and thus lost his last title fight.

Where Is Tim Sylvia Now?

Sylvia now resides in Iowa, where he has his own farm. He has a son, and it was because of him that Sylvia lost his “killer mentality” and “stopped being selfish”.

He credits his “humanization” to his son’s birth and spends a lot of quality time with him.

Besides the farm, Sylvia has a TV show in which he carries out his hobby of hunting deer. He also works as a project manager for a roofing company.

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