Two UFC news releases here, the first covering the suspension of Tim Sylvia from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and the second talking about the upcoming UFC: Spectacle to Sport pay-per-view special.ÿ The program will feature Al Bernstein, Zuffa management, and tons of fight footage, and will be a “biography” of sorts looking at the evolution of the UFC over the past 10 years.ÿ Click on READ MORE to see both releases.
UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION TIM SYLVIA RELINQUISHES TITLE AFTER SUSPENSION, FINE FROM NEVADA ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Champion Receives 4-Month Suspension, $7,500 Fine After Testifying
He Took Anabolic Agent Prior To Sept. 26 Title Fight Against Gan McGee
LAS VEGAS, October 15, 2003..Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia announced he has relinquished his title after the Nevada State Athletic Commission today suspended his license for four months from September 26 and fined him $7,500 for violating Nevadas unarmed combat laws.ÿ
In an advance letter to the Commissioners and in testimony before the Commission today, Sylvia admitted he had an anabolic agent in his body when he defeated Gan McGee to retain his title at UFC 44: Undisputed, Friday, September 26, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.ÿ In addition to serving the suspension and paying the fine, Sylvia said he will work in the community and will visit high schools to educate amateur athletes about the health dangers of anabolic substances.ÿ The substance, a diuretic for weight training, was detected in post-fight testing by the Commission.
“I made a major mistake and now I am going to pay for it.ÿ It was my decision to give up the belt because I do not want a cloud hanging over the UFC heavyweight title,” Sylvia said.
UFC President Dana White said that after Sylvia serves the suspension and his license is re-instated, he will get the opportunity to fight again for the heavyweight championship.
“Tim is a gentleman and his honesty today made an impression on the Commission.ÿ He is a fierce competitor and has always conducted himself as a true champion.ÿ I hope he keeps training and I wouldnt be surprised to see him become champion again some day.ÿ Once his suspension is over, Zuffa welcomes the chance to discuss his return to the UFC,” White said.
White said that the UFC heavyweight title is vacant but it will be a priority to determine a new champion.
ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP TO DEBUT UFC: SPECTACLE TO SPORTÿ LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
One-Hour Special Features An In-Depth Look At History, Growth of UFC; Includes Franca- Uno, Thomson-Strebendt Fights From UFC 44: Undisputed
ÿLAS VEGAS, October 14, 2003.The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the worlds premiere mixed martial arts sports association, will debut UFC: Spectacle To Sport, a one-hour pay-per-view special, on the iNDemand cable system at 10 p.m. EDT, this Saturday, October 18.ÿ An encore replay will start at 11 p.m., EDT, immediately afterward.ÿ Replays also will air on October 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28 and November 3, 13 and 14. The suggested retail price is $9.95.ÿ Viewers should check local listings and www.indemand.com for daily schedules.
ÿUFC: Spectacle To Sport will provide an action-packed overview of the UFCs evolution from a pay-per-view spectacle 10 years ago to the professional combat sport it has become today.ÿ The one-hour feature also will include the never-before-seen lightweight battles between submission specialist Hermes Franca (8-0-0) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Japanese veteran Caol Uno (13-5-3) of Kanagawa, Japan, and Josh “The Punk” Thomson (23-1-0) of San Jose, Calif., and Gerald Strebendt (6-3-0) of Los Angeles, Calif., from the all-star, nine-fight card at UFC 44: Undisputed, September 26, from Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
ÿHosted by Showtime fight analyst and commentator Al Bernstein, UFC: Spectacle To Sport will give viewers an in-depth look at how the UFC was founded in 1993 and details its growth and transition from an international spectacle into a true professional combat sport under the new ownership of Zuffa, LLC, its Las Vegas-based parent company.
ÿThe UFC story is told through the eyes of principal owner Lorenzo Fertitta and President Dana White, celebrities like Joe Rogan, host of NBCs Fear Factor, fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz, as well as mixed martial artists and mainstream journalists who have covered and reported the UFCs growth.