#3: Mir gets snappy with Sylvia – UFC 48 – 06/19/04
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The fight between Frank Mir and Tim Sylvia for the vacant UFC Heavyweight title at UFC 48 was seen as a great clash of styles: the incredible grappling skills and submissions of Mir against the takedown defence and concussive striking power of Sylvia.
Coming in, though, it was Big Tim who was the favourite. He’d already won the title once – knocking out another tremendous grappler in Ricco Rodriguez – and was unbeaten in his career at 16-0. A positive test for anabolic steroids had robbed him of the title and put his career on hold for a year, but now he seemed back with a vengeance.
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Mir meanwhile was coming off a pair of unconvincing wins over the unproven Wes Sims, a disqualification when Sims had stomped on his head, and a knockout when both men were badly gassed in the second round.
Sylvia was expected to look to keep the shorter Mir on the end of his punches, but when Mir threw an early kick, Big Tim couldn’t resist. He caught the leg and tackled Mir to the ground, although replays suggested that Mir may have been diving to guard.
From there, the fight only lasted a few more seconds.
Mir threw his legs and hips up for an armbar, catching Sylvia’s right arm. Sylvia responded by attempting to stand and slam his way out of the hold, but the combination of Mir’s weight and strength, as well as the effort from Sylvia to escape, proved to be too much for his arm to handle.
Referee Herb Dean stepped in before Sylvia was able to tap. Confusion abounded as Sylvia stood and claimed he couldn’t understand why the fight had been stopped, while Mir celebrated. Tim even tried to claim he could continue.
Chants of “bullshit” were heard from the crowd until the replays hit the big screen and showed one of the most horrifying visuals in UFC history – Sylvia’s forearm had literally snapped, bulging out at a totally unnatural angle.
Dean’s stoppage then turned out to be one of the best in MMA history – had he not stepped in, Sylvia’s arm may well have been totally ruined and his career could’ve ended.
As for Mir, although this was one of the highest points of his career – he never won the undisputed title again although he did capture an interim belt – it wouldn’t be the only time he broke a bone inside the Octagon.
