In the main event of UFC 130, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson took on Matt Hamill.
To start off the fight, Hamill worked a few leg kicks, before going in for the first shot of the fight, which Rampage easily stuffed.
After landing another kick to Rampage’s lead leg and an uppercut, Rampage landed a right hand that knocked Hamill back on his heels. Hamill continued on with the kicks to Rampage’s lead leg, as Rampage tried to no avail to land the big counter shot.
Hamill went for another pair of takedowns, but they came from so far away that Rampage had no problem stopping them. In some cases, Hamill paid a price in form of a knee or wild right for his efforts.
The next round started off with a head kick attempt from Hamill, which missed its mark. Rampage closed the distance and they clinched for the first time in the match. Rampage landed a knee that folded Hamill in half, then scored with an uppercut.
Hamill once again went for a shot from a mile away, and Rampage not only avoided it, but used it as a chance to tee off on Hamill.
Hamill continued to lead with sloppy punches, and Rampage looked to counter. Hamill tries another couple of takedowns, but Rampage stopped them both and landed a few punches.
Then when Hamill went for yet another shot, Rampage answered back with heavy body shots and knees, but the game Hamill continued pressing forward until the end of the round.
The final round began with Rampage moving forward, swinging wildly, and putting a hurting on the air around Hamill’s head.
After another exchange on the feet, Hamill had Rampage against the cage twice, but could not get the fight to the mat.
In the center of the ring, Rampage started to open up more and landed some nice hooks and uppercuts to Hamill. But by this time, both fighters looked tired, didn’t look like they were looking very hard for the finish, and the crowd started to boo them for their efforts.
As time trickled off the clock, Rampage made one last go for the finish, but it never came.
Rampage Jackson took all nine rounds on the three judge’s scorecards (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)