Former UFC champion Tim Sylvia announces retirement

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia announced his retirement at a Reality Fighting event in Connecticut on Saturday.

Sylvia was set to face veteran Juliano Coutinho, but was denied clearance because of an issue with a pre-fight MRI.

"This is the end of my career," Sylvia said at Mohegan Sun Arena, according to MMAjunkie's Steven Marrocco, "They said that I’ve received enough damage over 16 years."

Mike Mazulli, the director of the Mohegan Department of Athletic Regulation, told MMAjunkie that fighters over the age of 40 had to undergo an MRI and pass a stress test. Sylvia passed the stress test, but it was decided that his MRI required further evaluation.

Interestingly enough, the Sherdog fight finder says Sylvia is 38 years old.

"The Maine-iac" posted a 31-10 record over his MMA career, and captured the UFC Heavyweight title twice during his six-year tenure with the promotion.