Former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia was removed from his Aug. 1 Affliction bout with Paul Buentello after suffering a knockout loss Saturday to Olympic gold medalist and former boxing champion Ray Mercer.

Affliction VP Tom Atencio informed Sylvia that they couldn’t take a chance on the California State Athletic Commission forcing him off the card.

Aside from being “extremely embarrassed,” Sylvia told me Tuesday that he is ready to go but understands the problematic nature of his knockout loss.

“They didn’t want to do all the [press] and then have me show up and the athletic commission say, ‘No, he isn’t fighting,’” Sylvia said. “I understand it, but I am ready to fight.”

There have been rumblings that the upcoming Affliction event could be the promotion’s last. Sylvia seemed hopeful that would not be the case.

“I have a good contract with them,” said Sylvia in regards to his financial agreement with Affliction. “I hope this isn’t it.”

Sylvia also claimed he was, and is, in great shape and is ready to go as soon as possible. He mentioned Japan as a possibility, saying, “That is a place I have always wanted to fight.”