Upstart Adrenaline Strikes a “Heavy” Deal
Published by on April 1st, 2008 in History

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By MMAMemories.com

The fledgling M1 Global turned Adrenaline MMA promotion signed a couple of behemoths in the past week in an attempt to gain a foothold in the heavyweight division, which is a potential area of “growth” (if you pardon the pun) in the mixed martial arts industry. What it amounted to was 530 pounds of striking and grappling muscle with which to compete with the big boys of the UFC and other organizations.

Tim Sylvia, who has twice won the UFC’s heavyweight crown, is the prize catch. Sylvia holds wins over many of the best heavyweights the world has to offer, including Andre Arlovski, Ricco Rodriguez, Brandon Vera, Wes Sims, Ausserio Silva, Wesley Correira and Jeff Monson. he was last seen in February, losing by a choke submission to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in a hard-fought bout for the UFC’s interim heavyweight title.

The 6’8″, 265-pounder has won 24 of his 28 pro fights, scoring 16 knockouts and two submissions. He originally won the UFC title in 2003 with a KO over Rodriguez, and lost it 16 months later when Frank Mir broke his arm in the first round. he completed a successful comeback from that injury in April of 2006 when he stopped Arlovski at UFC 59. he then lost it in March of last year to Randy Couture.

Adrenaline’s other signing was ben Rothwell, almost as big as Sylvia at 6’5″ and 265 pounds, who has been on an impressive winning streak of late. Rothwell, who sports a 31-5 career mark, has been competing in the International Fight League for the Quad Cities Silverbacks, and has won all nine of his fight sin that organization, most recently in September of last year against the aforementioned Ricco Rodriguez. His overall winning skein stands at thirteen.

The contracts are multi-fight deals and are reportedly non-exclusive, which would allow the fights to compete for other promotions if the situation arose.

The two have actually fought each other; back in August of 2001, Sylvia scored a decision win at Extreme Challenge 42. A rematch might be unlikely anytime soon, however, as both men are members of Pat Miletich’s training stable in Bettendorf, Iowa.