Jonathan Snowden: For a lot of the guys it was like an all star camp at the Miletich gym. So many top fighters in certain weight classes. And you almost had that for a little bit when it looked for a time like Brock Lesnar was going to make Miletich his home. Did you get to work with Brock at all when he was there at the beginning of his career?
Tim Sylvia: I was coming off surgery so I never got a chance to train with him. But Brock and I became pretty good friends. We'd go out to Big Shot and shoot out there and go out to dinner and stuff. Brock and I are a lot alike when it comes to our personal lives.
JS: Your career was like Brock's once you got to the UFC- itexploded so quickly. Your second fight in the UFC was for a title shot. Were you ready for all that came with being a UFC star back then?
TS: I wasn't ready for it, but it happened. When I won it the second time it was more meaningful, meant more to me. It was like 'I just got in the UFC and already I'm getting a title shot?' I was thinking I'd work my way up, fight a few guys first before I got a title shot. But I was hand picked. Ricco picked me because he thought he could beat me and retain his title. And the UFC thought he was going to be the next big thing. But we took the fight knowing that we had a good shot at beating this guy. And low and behold-it happened.
JS: It's always been love an hate with you and the fans. I remember around when you won the title, you would hang out a lot with the fans at shows, wearing that title belt. At some point things turned. Do you have a good idea about when the fan response started getting so negative?
TS: I think the turning point was really the Arlovski series. When I beat him and then beat him again it seemed like things turned. I'm not sure why it happened or where it came from, but it started with the Arlovski fights and I didn't understand it.
JS: Does it matter to you how fans think about Tim Sylvia?
TS: Not really. I'm at the point where I'm cool with myself. I've got my family and friends and so on and so forth. I've always had the mentality, if you don't like me then f___ you. I don't like you either. It is what it is.
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