(So much is on the line here. Pride. A win bonus. Mostly just those two things.)
In less than two weeks, the UFC will return from its spring hibernation to present UFC 130 in Las Vegas, featuring a makeshift main event that not even the fighters themselves are that psyched about. But hey, fighting is fighting. Let’s all stay positive and consult the cold, hard data to predict how the light-heavyweight bang-up between Quinton Jackson and Matt Hamill will play out. If you see things differently, let us know in the comments section…
SIZE
Jackson: 6’1″, 73-inch reach
Hamill: 6’1″, 76-inch reach
Advantage: Hamill
RESULT OF LAST FIGHT
Jackson: Split-decision over Lyoto Machida at UFC 123
Hamill: Unanimous decision over Tito Ortiz at UFC 121
Advantage: Jackson
MOST DEVASTATING KNOCKOUT
Jackson: His slam KO of Ricardo Arona at PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004
Hamill: His head-kick KO of Mark Munoz at UFC 96
Advantage: Jackson
MOST UNDESERVED VICTORY
Jackson: His split-decision win over Murilo “Ninja” Rua at PRIDE 29
Hamill: His DQ victory over Jon Jones at the TUF 10 finale
Advantage: Even
BETTING ODDS
Jackson: -240
Hamill: +252
Advantage: Jackson
FINISHING RATIO
Jackson: 53.8% (21 stoppage wins in 39 fights)
Hamill: 50% (6 stoppage wins in 12 fights)
Advantage: Jackson
TUF EXPERIENCE
Jackson: Coached on seasons 7 and 10; his team got blown out both times, and he went on to drop decisions to both of his rival coaches (Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans)
Hamill: Was a Team Punishment member on season 3. Outpointed Mike Nickels in his preliminary match, but had to bow out of competition due to a medical suspension. Went on to TKO Jesse Forbes at the Finale show.
Advantage: Hamill
MOST BULLSHIT LOSS
Jackson: Got submitted by Kazushi Sakuraba in his PRIDE debut (at PRIDE 15), after allegedly having his food poisoned
Hamill: His split-decision loss to Michael Bisping at UFC 75
Advantage: Hamill
RESULT AGAINST KEITH JARDINE
Jackson: Unanimous decision victory at UFC 96
Hamill: Majority decision victory at the TUF 11 Finale
Advantage: Jackson
FILM CREDITS
Jackson: The role of B.A. Baracus in last year’s A-Team flick; plus, roles in four different Hector Echavarria films, and a guest-spot on King of Queens.
Hamill: No acting roles, but a movie was made based on his life story.
Advantage: Even
UFC PERFORMANCE BONUSES
Jackson: 2 Fight of the Night bonuses (against Forrest Griffin and Keith Jardine), 2 Knockout of the Night bonuses (against Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva)
Hamill: 2 Fight of the Night bonuses (against Seth Petruzelli and Keith Jardine), 1 Knockout of the Night bonus (against Mark Munoz)
Advantage: Jackson
LOVES THE LADIES?
Jackson: Yes
Hamill: Yes
Advantage: Even
SILLIEST PIECE OF MERCH ON THE UFC STORE SITE
Jackson: The official Rampage Jackson plastic chain
Hamill: The Matt Hamill action figure
Advantage: Jackson, by a mile
Result: By a final score of 7-3-3, Rampage easily outscores the Hammer. Look for Jackson to earn the stoppage sometime after the first round.