When Worlds Collide: Part 3 Sylvia vs Mercer

When Worlds Collide: Part 3 Sylvia vs Mercer

By Henry Walter

Tim Sylvia was a two-time UFC heavyweight champion when in 2007 he lost his title to Randy Couture via decision.

In 2009 whilst on the comeback trail Sylvia signed to fight the 48-year-old former WBO heavyweight champion Ray Mercer in a boxing match. However the two could not get the fight sanctioned as a boxing match so the fight was switched to mixed martial arts (MMA) rules.

At six feet eight inches tall and weighing two hundred and seventy pounds Sylvia dwarfed Mercer, who stood at just six-foot one and was seventeen years removed from a short reign as WBO champion.

At 48 and with no grappling or mixed martial arts background Mercer was expected to be swiftly defeated by the thirty-three year old Sylvia.

As the fight began Sylvia attacked Mercer with a kick that the ageing boxer managed to block. Mercer retaliated with a stunning straight right hand that knocked Sylvia out cold.

The fight had lasted just nine seconds.

Sylvia continued his career until 2013, his career ended on a 3 fight losing streak and finished with a MMA record of 31-10 with 1 no contest.

Mercer never fought in MMA again, however 2 years earlier in 2007, Kimbo Slice fought Mercer in a non sanctioned MMA match, Slice choked Mercer out at 1:12 of the 1st round.