MMA Legacy 12.07.09: Matt 'The Hammer’ Hamill
Posted by Bill Wannop on 12.07.2009
On the heels of the Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, Legacy examines the career of Matt Hamill. From his early days on the Ultimate Fighter, to his controversial loss to Michael Bisping to his recent DQ win over Jon Jones. Plus we have analysis of the Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, complete with highlights of the major fights!
Each and every week MMA Legacy shines the spotlight on a MMA legend. The legends may be retired or may be still actively competing. The column will begin with a bio on the selected legend following his career throughout its highs and lows. This week we decided to focus one of the most inspirational fighters in the world today, Matt "the Hammer" Hamill! From his early days on the Ultimate Fighter, to his controversial loss to Michael Bisping to his recent DQ win over Jon Jones.
Matt Hamill was born October 5, 1976 in Cincinnati Ohio, making him 33 years old today. Matt attended the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and while there he was a wrestling all-star, becoming a three time NCAA Division 3 National Champion (in the 167lb category in 1997, 190 lb in 1998, and 197 lb in 1999). He participated in the Deaflyompics in 1997 where he won a gold metal in both the Greco roman and freestyle events. He would also compete in the 2001 Deaflympics and win a Silver and Gold metal in Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling.
He earned his chance to compete on the Ultimate Fighter reality series after Rich Franklin suggested him to the UFC officials. He had helped Rich train his wrestling earlier in his career and Rich was impressed with the athletic ability of Hamill. Before going on the show Matt had one professional MMA fight which was a victory over Robert Hitte via TKO due to punches at XFO 7 on August 27, 2005.
On the show he became a favorite of coach Tito Ortiz by displaying his incredible work ethic and ability to learn quickly. In his first round matchup Matt defeated Mike Nickels via decision by using his wrestling to control the fight. However Matt suffered an injury in the fight and was unable to compete in the semifinals. On the Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale Matt faced off against Jesse Forbes and defeated Forbes via TKO due to strikes in the first round to bring his official MMA record to 2-0.
Following the victory Matt would face off against Kimbo Killer Seth Petruzelli at Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3: The Final Chapter. Again in the fight Hamill used his superior grappling and wrestling to take Seth down and keep him down, earning him a unanimous decision victory. Matt followed that victory up with a TKO victory due to strikes over Rex Holman at UFC 68: The Uprising in the first round. Through all his victories Matt showed great wrestling and ground control, however he still seemed lost on his feet and his striking was less than impressive.
His next fight would be an anticipated matchup that stemmed from the dislike of the two from their time on the Ultimate Fighter reality series. At UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion Hamill faced off against winner Michael Bisping. During training for the fight however Hamill injured his knee which dramatically reduced his takedown ability, however during the fight in a shock to everyone Hamill stayed on his feet and used his striking to take the fight to Bisping. Hamill was even able to knock Bisping down in the first round. The fight went to a decision and Bisping won a split decision victory which many fans believe Hamill won the fight. (This is what really started by dislike for Bisping, as instead of putting Hamill over and saying it was an insanely close fight, he goes the cocky route and states he clearly won the fight!).
Hamill bounced back from his first loss by taking on Tim Boetsch at UFC Fight Night 13. His original opponent was said to be Stephan Bonnar, but he suffered a knee injury and had to pull out of the fight. In the fight Hamill again would show improved striking as well as a solid chin, as he got caught with a knee and had his lip busted open but kept pressing forward. Hamill would eventually get the takedown and finish out Boetsch in the second round by TKO due to strikes.
Following the impressive wins Hamill would get a huge opponent when he met up with the man who got him onto the Ultimate Fighter reality show, Rich Franklin at UFC 88: Breakthrough. In the fight Hamill attempted to stand and trade with Franklin wanting to show off his striking ability; however Franklin is the far superior striker. Eventually in the third round Franklin would connect with a huge kick to the liver that would put Hamill down and out giving him his second MMA loss.
Hamill would work his way back up the ladder, defeating Reese Andy at UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 in the second round by TKO due to strikes as well as Mark Munoz at UFC 96: Jackson vs. Jardine by brutal head kick.
His most recent fight was two days ago at the Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale where he faced off against Jon Jones. In the fight Jones got a huge slam on Hamill, mounted and rained down huge shots. However in his excitement Jones hit two illegal elbows on Hamill, causing the official to DQ Jones when Hamill was unable to continue.
Matt Hamill has had an up and down career, that has left him securely in a gatekeeper role in the UFC. While he is able to beat the lower and mid level fighters, he struggles against top-level fighters. Perhaps Hamill needs to change training camps in order to shake up his training and move to the next level.
Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale
Well the ultimate fighter 10 has come to a close and the finale was actually a great night of fights.
Kimbo Slice vs. Houston Alexander
We jump right into probably the fight that everyone was looking forward to the most, the debut of Kimbo Slice in the Octagon. While this fight was not what everyone expected I feel that the way this fight played out, it actually made Kimbo look great. In the opening round Alexander really shocked everyone by simply continually circling Kimbo, bringing back memories of Dan Severn vs. Ken Shamrock. When Houston did engage, he simply threw a leg kick and kept circling. This allowed everyone to witness one of the vast improvements in Kimbo's game, patience. The old Kimbo would have simply rushed forward leaving an opening for Houston (which I feel was the game plan of Alexander). But Kimbo simply did not fall into the trap and kept patient.
After the first round he got advice from his corner, began to cut off Houston's circling and then showed the second improvement to Kimbo's game in that he actually displayed some ground skills. Starting off with a huge, and I mean huge Kimbo slam.
Slice dominated on the ground, getting mount on multiple occasions, getting Houston's back and actually trying to lock in a rear naked choke. Kimbo actually displayed some ground and pound which is a testament to his work with ATT. All in all it was a great performance by Slice which if he continues to develop his ground game may actually be able to climb his way up the ranks.
I do feel that Kimbo's weight class is 205. In this fight he made it to 212, without any help from anyone so cutting 7 more pounds should be doable. If Kimbo could make 205, he would be a huge light heavyweight, and it would set up some pretty huge money matches with Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz.
Jon Jones vs. Matt Hamill
Wow, Jon Jones impressed me yet again. He completely dominated Matt Hamill, by tossing him like a rag doll, and getting mount and raining down an enormous number of shots.
Jones did hit Hamill with 2 downward elbows, which is illegal so the ref stopped the action and took a point away from Jones. However after the stoppage Hamill was unable to continue and the fight was called. Everyone thought Jones would be awarded the victory but the contest was actually ruled a victory for Hamill by disqualification. It was actually the first instance of instant replay usage as Steve Mazagatti looked at the replay and decided to DQ Jones. I personally feel the fight should be ruled a no contest, as the elbows while they were intentional were more done by ignorance as Jones was unaware or forgot the rules in the heat of the moments. Jones was not disqualified for initially for the infraction, so why was he disqualified after the fact when Hamill could not continue. With this win Hamill stays in his gatekeeper position while with the loss Jones moves up the ladder, and should be looking for a top level opponent.
Roy Nelson vs. Brendan Schaub
Nelson proved that he will be a threat in the heavyweight division with the highlight reel knockout of Schaub. While Schaub unloaded on Nelson in the first, I think that Roy was simply baiting Brendan in order to get the takedown. While Schaub was able to get up, Nelson began connecting with his punches finally finishing him with a brutal right hand. I truly think that Roy Nelson is the most well rounded fighter in the heavyweight division, and I actually believe that if you put him in the cage with top-level heavyweights like Cain Velasquez, or Shane Carwin that he would dominate and defeat them. Schaub has a bright future in the UFC as well, and if he continues to develop in a couple years he could also be a threat.
All in all it was a good night of fights, which highlight some of the new stars to the UFC. Kimbo looked like a MMA fighter with a more well rounded game, Jon Jones looked unstoppable with his explosive offense, and Roy Nelson proved that he can beat you on his feet and on the ground. I look forward to seeing who these guys fight next.
"I personally feel the fight should be ruled a no contest, as the elbows while they were intentional were more done by ignorance as Jones was unaware or forgot the rules in the heat of the moments"
That's a bit like saying "oh you forgot that stealing was illegal so you'll be let off this time"...well not
really, but I can't think of a better comparison :P
Either way I feel it's unfortunate but Jones did indeed need to be DQ'd as per the rules
Posted By: Observer (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 07:48 AM
dana knows jones won the fight before the elbows Jones should of just stayed calm and picked his shots better...reguardless jones will be back and face stiffer comp.. love to see him to on Cane who just came off his first loss aswell i believe
Posted By: dustin (Guest) on December 07, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Each and every week MMA Legacy shines the spotlight on a MMA legend. The legends may be retired or may be still actively competing. The column will begin with a bio on the selected legend following his career throughout its highs and lows. This week we decided to focus one of the most inspirational fighters in the world today, Matt "the Hammer" Hamill! From his early days on the Ultimate Fighter, to his controversial loss to Michael Bisping to his recent DQ win over Jon Jones.
His next fight would be an anticipated matchup that stemmed from the dislike of the two from their time on the Ultimate Fighter reality series. At UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion Hamill faced off against winner Michael Bisping. During training for the fight however Hamill injured his knee which dramatically reduced his takedown ability, however during the fight in a shock to everyone Hamill stayed on his feet and used his striking to take the fight to Bisping. Hamill was even able to knock Bisping down in the first round. The fight went to a decision and Bisping won a split decision victory which many fans believe Hamill won the fight. (This is what really started by dislike for Bisping, as instead of putting Hamill over and saying it was an insanely close fight, he goes the cocky route and states he clearly won the fight!).
Following the impressive wins Hamill would get a huge opponent when he met up with the man who got him onto the Ultimate Fighter reality show, Rich Franklin at UFC 88: Breakthrough. In the fight Hamill attempted to stand and trade with Franklin wanting to show off his striking ability; however Franklin is the far superior striker. Eventually in the third round Franklin would connect with a huge kick to the liver that would put Hamill down and out giving him his second MMA loss.
