Tim Sylvia: 'I Match Up the Best' with Alistair Overeem

By now we're all well aware of Tim Sylvia's desperate attempt to return to the UFC.

We're also aware that Sylvia believes he could beat 80 percent of the heavyweights that currently reside in the world's fasting growing promotion.

"I've accomplished more than anyone else has in the UFC heavyweight division except for Randy Couture," Sylvia told Bleacher Report. "They put me in there and I guarantee that I knock a lot of them guys out."

Eliminating 80 percent of the current heavyweight roster would leave some stiff competition, as names like Junior Dos Santos, Alistair Overeem and Cain Velasquez come to mind.

Even such names as Frank Mir, Fabricio Werdum, Roy Nelson and Cheick Kongo begin to appear.

However, Sylvia has made it clear that Kongo isn't an exception and could be one of the victims to his knockout power.

"I know for a fact Kongo is one of the heavyweights I could beat," said Sylvia.

In terms of the remaining names, Sylvia would entertain any matchup, as he believes he still has the fire to compete with the best of the best.

"I think Overeem and I match up the best to be honest. Alistair is one of those guys who will want to stand and bang, which sets up for one of us going to sleep," said Sylvia. "Dos Santos is another great fighter who will stand up and bang with you as well."

"I think Cain would be the toughest fight for me because his wrestling is so good. He'll take you down, take you down, but stand up with you too," said Sylvia. "Style definitely makes him the toughest in my opinion." 

If Sylvia were granted a return to the Octagon it's likely he won't be facing the upper-echelon of the heavyweight division right off the bat.

However, that's not necessarily what Sylvia wants, as he has a few opponents in mind.

"I'd love to fight Kongo or even Stefan Struve in my first fight back. I think that either would be a great fight for the fans, as we're all stand-up guys. Give me any fight," said Sylvia. "It's just disappointing seeing guys compete in the UFC knowing that I would smash them."

"The guys mentioned earlier are all tough matchups, but I would absolutely destroy the lower level guys."

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