Matching up with the likes of MMA Heavyweight legends like Frank Mir, Randy Couture, and Fedor Emelianenko is no easy feat for any fighter. Tim Sylvia has done that and more, he's lined up across the Octagon from some of the most terrifying heavyweights in MMA history and racked up a record of 31-10-1 with 22 knockouts.

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Tim Sylvia's pro career lasted 12 years spanning from 2001 to 2013 with a total of 13 fights in UFC, winning 9 of them. He spent his prime UFC years fighting out of Iowa with the Miletich Fighting Systems camp along with other UFC greats like Jens Pulver, Robbie Lawler, and Matt Hughes.

10 Maine-iac

Born and raised in Ellsworth, Maine, Tim Sylvia's nickname "The Maniac" is a play on words based on his forward, aggressive fighting style and his home state of Maine. He grew up with football, wrestling, and karate.

After finishing high school, he worked a handful of small jobs including one as a bouncer with fellow future UFC fighter Marcus Davis. After seeing UFC 28 in Atlantic City, he packed up all his stuff and moved to Iowa to train under Pat Miletich.

9 UFC Debut

For his UFC debut, Tim Sylvia Fought Wesely "Cabbage" Correira and won by corner stoppage in the second round. Correira was a middling UFC fighter with an iron chin and was teammates with fellow native-Hawaiian BJ Penn.

Standing 6'8", Tim Sylvia flexed his insane height advantage over Wesley "Cabbage" Correira. After absorbing a few quick strikes from Cabbage in the first round, Tim Sylvia utilized his reach advantage and strong knees in the clinch until Cabbage's corner threw in the towel.

8 First Heavyweight Championship

After defeating Wesely Correira in his first UFC fight, Tim Sylvia was offered a Heavyweight Title shot against Ricco Rodriguez who had just won the title after a ground-and-pound victory over Randy Couture.

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Rodriguez chose Tim Sylvia for his first title defense, assuming the up-and-comer would be an easy win for himself. Tim Sylvia knocked out and broke the jaw of Rodriguez in a devastating fight-ending sequence.

7 Drug Controversy

In 2003, after his first title defense, Tim Sylvia tested positive for Stanozolol, a banned substance. He forfeited his title, served a six-month suspension, and paid a $10,000 fine for the offense. He admitted to using the banned substance and said that he didn't use it for any competitive advantage but more for shedding weight and to look good. He apologized for his use of steroids.

6 Injury

In 2004, Tim Sylvia returned to the UFC after serving a six-month suspension to face Frank Mir, an up-and-coming heavyweight contender. This was a fight for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship.

The fight was stopped in the first round to fans' dismay by referee Herb Dean during an arm-bar attempt by Frank Mir. Shortly afterward UFC commentator Joe Rogan came to the gruesome realization that you could see Tim's forearm break and that is why Herb Dean stopped the fight. Sylvia got a metal plate in his arm and took several months to recuperate.

5 Second Heavyweight Championship

In 2006, Tim Sylvia matched up against the then UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski for the second time after losing to him via submission in 2005.

The fight ended in a dramatic sequence after Sylvia was knocked down by an overhand right only to get back up again and land a short right hand knocking Arlovski down and finishing the fight with ground and pound.

4 Andrei Arlovski Rivalry

There was a total of three UFC title fights between these two fighters and four fights total between the two of them. The rivalry ended in 2012 while fighting for ONE FC, it was an eventful fight that ended due to illegal strikes to the head of a grounded opponent as Arlovski attempted to soccer kick Sylvia, leading to a no contest.

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Arguably one of the greatest UFC Heavyweight rivalries of all time, they even were the inspiration for UFC 61, titled Bitter Rivals. Both fighters always came to throw down and were never afraid of a good scrap.

3 The Fedor Fight

In 2008, after his second stint in the UFC, Sylvia was given a matchup with all-time great Fedor Emelianenko during his unbelievable near nine-year unbeaten streak. Fedor never fought in the UFC, so fans have always wondered how he would match up against UFC greats.

The fight ended with Fedor winning by rear-naked choke in the first round. Sylvia said, "That guy hits hard. I've never been hit that hard before."

2 Retirement

After a series of failed weight cuts and catchweight bouts, Tim Sylvia had his last fight in 2013. He also ended his career on a three-fight losing skid.

Sylvia attempted a comeback in 2015 but failed to get medical clearance from an athletic board. He then announced his retirement saying "They said that I’ve received enough damage over 16 years."

1 Hunting

Sylvia now resides in Iowa with his son where he works as a project manager for a roofing company. He says he's lost the competitive drive to be a fighter and enjoys a quiet life with his son.

He also owns a 100-acre farm where he is an avid hunter and runs a TV show called Hit Squad Outdoors with Tim Sylvia. He is proud of the show's success and continues to hunt regularly.