Well before a since-scratched match between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Thiago Silva was made for UFC 130, Duff Holmes, manager and trainer of light-heavyweight contender Matt Hamill, had a chat with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva.
Holmes was hoping Jackson would lose to Lyoto Machida at UFC 123 because he believed his protege had the right ingredients to defeat Jackson.
After a series of injuries and fight-card changes, Holmes and Hamill now get their wish. Hamill, though, had his doubts about whether Jackson would accept the UFC 130 matchup.