Mercer, meanwhile, checked in at 256.6.
The fight was originally scheduled to be a boxing match, but after pressure from the Association of Boxing Commissions led to a withdrawal of scheduled referee John McCarthy and a Canadian tribal boxing commission that had promised to regulate it, the contest was changed to an MMA match.
Sylvia cuts down to 265 to make the heavyweight limit in most of his fights, but with no commission overseeing events (Alabama has no combat sports commission), apparently this fight will be contested in the superheavyweight division. Afterward, Sylvia will have about six weeks to get in true MMA fight shape, as he's scheduled to fight Paul Buentello at the next Affliction show in August. At that fight, he'll be forced to shed the extra 45 pounds he's now carrying to make 265.
The 48-year-old Mercer was an Olympic boxing gold medalist and former WBO World Champion. He fought an MMA exhibition bout with Kimbo Slice in 2007, losing by guillotine submission in just 72 seconds.
Also on the card are former UFC fighters Rich Clementi, Jeremy Horn and Roberto Traven. The event will not be televised.
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