Mike Chiappetta • E-mail

Just over a month ago, Tim Sylvia was fighting for the UFC heavyweight title. Now, his run with the MMA giant is over.

The two-time UFC champ has parted ways with the UFC and signed with the new Adrenaline MMA organization, Sylvia announced on HDNet's Inside MMA program.

Sylvia had one fight left on his UFC deal and says that the split with UFC was a mutual decision.

The Adrenaline organization is forming out of the remnants of M-1 Global, a group that made a splash last year by signing former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. But that upstart group never really got off the ground. Earlier this week, it was announced that Emelianenko was a free agent, and the M-1 name would revert to Fedor's manager Vadim Finkelstein.

Video   MMA Fight Weekly: On a Rampage The champ disses Forrest, himself and more. NBC Sports

Meanwhile, M-1 CEO Monte Cox was left with starting another new organization from scratch. Adrenaline MMA is the result. Cox, who also happens to be Sylvia's manager, also signed former IFL heavyweight Ben Rothwell to a deal with the new league. Adrenaline hopes to run its first show in June, possibly in Chicago.

The 32-year-old Sylvia said his deal is non-exclusive, which will make it possible for him to fight elsewhere and keep a more active fight schedule, something he voiced a hope for. He also added that he hopes to one day finish his career in the UFC.

Speculation began to ramp up in the last few months that Sylvia could leave the UFC, and became rampant in the last two days after a post on his website alerted fans to an upcoming major announcement.

In February, Sylvia faced Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in an interim title fight and controlled the first two rounds before succumbing to a third-round guillotine submission.

"Being 32 years old, I have four or five good years ahead of me," Sylvia said. "I plan to make the most of it."

Sylvia made his UFC debut in 2002 and won the title in his second bout in the organization. During his run, he's taken part in nine title matches.

His is the third major defection from the UFC's heavyweight division in the last few months. Randy Couture resigned from the company last year, and Mirko Cro Cop parted ways with the group earlier this year. UFC President Dana White has since said that Cro Cop is expected to return to the organization after a few tune-up matches.

Meanwhile, the UFC has also taken steps to replenish the division, signing Brock Lesnar last year and adding other prospects including Shane Carwin, Neil Wain and Cain Velasquez.

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