WWE News: Former UFC Heavyweight Champ spotted backstage at WWE live event

What’s the story?

Smackdown Live came to Moline, Illinois yesterday for a house show, and among the attendees was none other than former Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia.

Tim Sylvia with Jinder Mahal and Natalya

In case you didn’t know…

Sylvia is a former two-time UFC Champion, defeating Ricco Rodriguez for his first reign in 2003 and Andrei Arlovski in 2006. He is an ardent fan of pro wrestling, with a campaign in 2013 for him to be added to the TNA roster.

The heart of the matter

The show featured an entertaining three-way bout between AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin, as well as WWE Champion Jinder Mahal defending his title against Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match.

Sylvia also found time to get his picture taken with Mahal and Women's Champion Natalya, who was also in action, tagging with Tamina against the team of Naomi and Charlotte Flair.

What’s next?

For Sylvia, the future remains unclear; and having retired from active competition on medical grounds, a return to fighting seems highly unlikely. He does hold down a part time job as a police officer in the State of Illinois.

Author’s take

As much as certain UFC fighters (Michael Bisping, we're looking at you) like to decry pro-wrestling, due to their discipline being more 'real', the links between MMA and wrestling are many and varied.

You only have to look at Conor McGregor, channelling the likes of Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes to hype his fights, or Chael Sonnen's blustering over-exaggerations and attempts to add pro-wrestling style stipulations to his bouts (trying to get Anderson Silva to agree to a loser leaves UFC match, anyone?)

On another note, it is good to see Sylvia -- a man once considered a serious risk of suffering permanent harm in the Octagon due to continuing his career when well past his peak -- looking in good health and spirits at the show. Although we hope a comeback remains off the cards, surely there must be a way for UFC to use his vast experience in an analyst or colour commentary role?