Why Andrei Arlovski is returning to the UFC, and why Tim Sylvia isn't

The UFC’s debut event in Maine is unlikely to have the “The Maine-iac” on the night’s lineup.

The organization recently announced UFC Fight Night 47 will take place Aug. 16 at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

With the UFC heading to the state for the first time, former UFC heavyweight champion and Maine native Tim Sylvia (31-10) immediately began campaigning for a slot on the card. “The Maine-iac,” who went 9-4 and had two title stints with the UFC from 2002-2008, immediately campaigned for a spot on the card.

Just found out the UFC is doing a show in one if my home towns in Bangor Maine. Would give anything to fight on this card in aug.—
Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) May 08, 2014

The 38-year-old fighter also encouraged fans to contact UFC President Dana White, and Sylvia’s timeline was filled with dozens of retweets from his followers.

It, unfortunately, had unintended consequences.

Lol @danawhite blocked me. I think all my fans was getting to him and didn't want to here my name anymore, if he just listen 2 them.—
Tim Sylvia (@timsylviamma) May 10, 2014

Asked about the possibility of the fighter getting a spot on the card, White recently said it was unlikely, especially given Sylvia’s current run, which includes a no-contest before three consecutive losses.

“I heard,” White said when asked about Sylvia’s campaign. “Tim Sylvia, I think he’s 0-3-1 in his last four fights. It’d be tough to bring him in to the UFC with [that record] outside the UFC.”

Sylvia, though, probably figured there was some hope when the organization recently announced it had re-signed former Sylvia nemesis, Andrei Arlovski, who now meets Brendan Schaub at UFC 174.

So why Arlovski, whose post-UFC career included stints with organizations such as Affliction and Strikeforce, and not Sylvia? After all, Sylvia is 2-1 (with one no-contest) against Arlovski, and during the UFC’s lean heavyweight years, the duo’s title fights were the division’s biggest draws.

“He’s on a win streak,” White said of Arlovski’s 6-1 run. “I like him. I have a lot of respect for him and his people.

“He left the UFC to go fight somewhere else. People think that because he did that, I have some – I never, ever fault somebody for trying to better their life, and he had a better deal. This ain’t f—ing Bellator. A guy tries to better his life, we’re not going to try to destroy the guy and sue him to death and hold up his career and do that.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 47, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski)