Issue 158
September 2017
Ray Mercer: Boxing
Tim Sylvia: MMA
Despite Ray Mercer boasting an Olympic gold medal and a stint as WBO heavyweight champion, most people thought the 48-year-old was doomed in his pro MMA debut against six-foot-eight Tim Sylvia.
His only previous cage experience was a submission loss to Kimbo Slice in an exhibition match and this fight was originally made as a boxing match, but no commission would sanction it, forcing a change to 4oz gloves.
There was talk of a gentleman’s agreement to stick to punching, but ‘The Maine-iac’ broke that immediately with an inside leg kick. ‘Merciless’ gave him an angry look and threw a vicious overhand right.
The two-time UFC champion toppled over in slow motion, then ate two right hands on the mat to complete his humiliation.
...
