Tag: Matt Hamill

UFC 130: Randy Couture Predicts Main Event Fights: Jackson vs. Hamill

UFC 130 will take place this Saturday, May 28, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.Preliminary card action includes the bantamweight debut of the highly regarded and extremely talented Brazilian, Renan Barao.Spike TV will air a tremend…

UFC 130 will take place this Saturday, May 28, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Preliminary card action includes the bantamweight debut of the highly regarded and extremely talented Brazilian, Renan Barao.

Spike TV will air a tremendous bantamweight matchup between Miguel Torres and Demetrious Johnson.

Main card action includes a middleweight bout between the hard-hitting ex-Marine, Brian Stann, scheduled to square off against the former Sengoku middleweight champion, Jorge Santiago.

Additional pay-per-view fights include a barn-burner between Thiago Alves and Rick Story in the welterweight division.

The co-main event of the evening is a heavyweight duel between the former UFC heavyweight champion, Frank Mir, and the up-and-coming Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights winner, Roy Nelson.

In the main event, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, will enter the Octagon against Matt “The Hammer” Hamill.

With questions looming regarding both main events, experts and pundits do not seem to share a common viewpoint as to who will be the victor for both fights.

To provide more clarification, UFC hall-of-fame fighter, and recent retired MMA superstar, Randy Couture, sat down with Affliction to analyze and predict the outcome of “Rampage” versus “The Hammer.”

“So many questions surround “Rampage,” Couture stated. “Where is he training? What is he involved in? Is he taking it (this fight) seriously? Will he be prepared? What kind of shape will he be in?”

These questions and more cloud experts’ views as to how Jackson will perform this Saturday.

In contrast, Couture is confident that Matt Hamill will be extremely prepared for this light heavyweight battle.

“Hamill is not the guy you don’t want to fight not fully prepared. (Hamill) has got a ton of heart, a great wrestling background, and showed some tremendous striking in his last couple of outings.”

Familiar with both fighters and their strengths and weaknesses, Couture commented on “Rampage’s” strengths inside the Octagon.

“(Rampage) hits like a mack truck. If you stand in front of this guy (Quinton Jackson), he will flat knock your head off.”

“Jackson is predominately a striker coming into this fight. It’ll be interesting to see if Hamill can take him to the ground and take some steam from him (Jackson).”

Continuing to comment on both fighters abilities inside the cage, Couture stated, “Rampage is more that inside fighter. He throws those hooks. He throws those uppercuts. He throws those types of punches. Hamill’s style of striking draws Rampage in and frustrates him. This makes it easier for Hamill to potentially take him down.”

In the end, the hall-of-fame fighter and legendary icon Randy Couture feels that Hamill will have his hand raised in victory.

“I’m gonna go with the potential upset with the underdog in Matt Hamill.”

Confident that a solid Hamill will defeat a potentially unmotivated Jackson, Couture’s pick is in line with my prediction posted earlier this week.

This Saturday will determine whether or not Quinton Jackson is back in the light heavyweight championship discussion once again, or if Matt Hamill continues to climb up the contender’s ladder.

I welcome your comments.

Todd Seyler

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UFC 130: Is Not Making Use of UFC 129’s Momentum Actually a Good Thing?

It was only nearly one month ago that the UFC held the largest event in the company’s history: UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre in Canada where over 55,000 fans were in attendance.Off of the back of such a stellar performance, one would suspect that the UF…

It was only nearly one month ago that the UFC held the largest event in the company’s history: UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre in Canada where over 55,000 fans were in attendance.

Off of the back of such a stellar performance, one would suspect that the UFC would be attempting to strike while the iron is hot and somehow make use the brand’s ever-growing popularity.

However, when one browses over the UFC 130 fight card—and specifically the main event—it can be seen that this is not the case. But, to be fair to the UFC, they did have a lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard booked for the event, but it was canceled due to injuries on both sides.

Instead of seeking a better main event, the co-main event of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Matt “The Hammer” Hamill was simply bumped up the card and everything else was left as is, making the event lackluster overall.

What else could the UFC have done? In truth, with the way events are planned, it can be very difficult to replace a main event of that caliber on such short notice. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that UFC 130 is a step down from UFC 129.

But is this a bad thing?

The answer may well be a surprising “No.”

First, to the casual fan, Rampage Jackson is still a large draw due to his legendary highlight reels on YouTube. The 130 fight card is thus worth it to them because it is a name that they recognize.

Second, following UFC 129 with a sub-par event gives Zuffa—the company that owns the UFC—a chance to gauge the strength of the brand. The 130 card is indisputably average; thus if it achieves an above-average buy rate the brand is stronger than any of the fights on the card.

It is for these reasons—the support of the casual fan, as well as the litmus test of the brand’s strength—that UFC 130 will be marked a success in history books, the canceled main event notwithstanding.

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UFC 130: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Is Either Disinterested or Cold-Blooded

Just when almost every MMA fan is looking forward to an exciting and redemptive main event after what many found rather unsatisfying in UFC 129’s, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson rewards us with his expressed “lack of excitement” over…

Just when almost every MMA fan is looking forward to an exciting and redemptive main event after what many found rather unsatisfying in UFC 129’s, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson rewards us with his expressed “lack of excitement” over his fight versus Matt Hamill in UFC 130 (Rampage Jackson Not Excited With Matt Hamill for UFC 130 by Michael David Smith, May 17, 2011).

To account for his unpopular prior statement, he clarifies that, “Some MMA fans, they don’t hear something they want to hear and they jump all over you. If they really get to know me, I’m not really excited about anybody I fight. It’s my job; it’s my career. I don’t get excited anymore. I got almost 40 fights. I don’t get excited about anybody I fight.” (UFC 130 Fight Card: Rampage Jackson Talks Matt Hamill Fight on Conference Call by Sean Smith, May 20, 2011).

Maybe his long and storied MMA career is beginning to bore him and he’s now seriously contemplating on his budding movie career.

Or, if we interpret his above statement in a more positive light, he is now a true fight veteran and has become a cold-blooded murderer inside the Octagon. (Regardless if there are those who think he got away with murder versus Lyoto Machida.)

He is unfazed by any opponent, no matter how formidable. Nothing can shake his equanimity, whatever the odds.

Speaking of cinematic and cold-bloodedness in an already cinematic and, well, seemingly cold-blooded sport, my imagination conjures the following scene:

”Quinton Jackson coolly enters the Octagon amid the heavy booing of the crowd. The referee gives Jackson and Hamill their last pointers in the middle of the Octagon, as the former UFC champion stares at his opponent with an expressionless look on his face.

”The fight begins and 10 seconds into the round, Rampage lands a powerful right straight flush into Hamill’s left jaw, knocking the New Yorker out cold.

”Uncharacteristically, Jackson doesn’t howl or raise his arms in victory. The blank countenance remains.

”Joe Rogan climbs into the Octagon for the customary post-fight interview, but Jackson walks past him and swaggers back to his locker room with his posse, as the agitated crowd fills the arena with a deafening cacophony of cheers and boos.

“The cheers for the fast finish, the boos for the wanton display of arrogance.”

A cowboy villain entering a bar and shooting everyone in sight, then exits unhurriedly and nonchalantly mounts his horse, post-massacre.

Wisps of smoke arise from the still-warm twin revolvers tucked in opposite holsters attached to his belt, as he rides into the sunset as the original motion picture soundtrack of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly fills the desert air.

The problem with watching too many Westerns, lately.

UFC 130: Fight Card, News, Predictions, Results, and More!

 

I think we have Manny Pacquiao’s future MMA equivalent lurking here somewhere…for those interested in Philippine MMA, check out here the official Web site of our country’s premier MMA organization, the Universal Reality Combat Championship and our top MMA online forum at PinoyMMA.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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UFC 130: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson Is Either Disinterested or Cold-Blooded

Almost every MMA fan is looking forward to an exciting and redemptive main event–after what many found to be a rather unsatisfying one in UFC 129.As a reward, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson claims “lack of excitement” over his …

Almost every MMA fan is looking forward to an exciting and redemptive main event–after what many found to be a rather unsatisfying one in UFC 129.

As a reward, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson claims “lack of excitement” over his upcoming fight versus Matt Hamill for the UFC 130 headliner (Rampage Jackson Not Excited With Matt Hamill for UFC 130 by Michael David Smith, May 17, 2011).

To account for this unpopular statement, he clarifies that, “Some MMA fans, they don’t hear something they want to hear and they jump all over you. If they really get to know me, I’m not really excited about anybody I fight. It’s my job; it’s my career. I don’t get excited anymore. I got almost 40 fights. I don’t get excited about anybody I fight.” (UFC 130 Fight Card: Rampage Jackson Talks Matt Hamill Fight on Conference Call by Sean Smith, May 20, 2011).

Maybe his long and storied MMA career is beginning to bore him and he’s now seriously contemplating on his budding movie career.

Or, if we interpret his above statement in a more positive light, he is now a true fight veteran and has become a cold-blooded murderer inside the Octagon. (Regardless if there are those who think he got away with murder versus Lyoto Machida.)

He is unfazed by any opponent, no matter how formidable. Nothing can shake his equanimity, whatever the odds.

Speaking of cinematic and cold-bloodedness in an already cinematic and, well, seemingly cold-blooded sport, my imagination conjures the following scene:

Quinton Jackson coolly enters the Octagon amid the heavy booing of the crowd. The referee gives Jackson and Hamill their last pointers in the middle of the Octagon, as the former UFC champion stares at his opponent with an expressionless look on his face.

The fight begins and with just 10 seconds into the round, Rampage lands a powerful right straight flush into Hamill’s left jaw, knocking the New Yorker out cold.

Uncharacteristically, Jackson doesn’t howl or raise his arms in victory. The blank countenance remains.

Joe Rogan climbs into the Octagon for the customary post-fight interview, but Jackson walks past him and swaggers back to his locker room with his posse, as the agitated crowd fills the arena with a deafening cacophony of cheers and boos.

The cheers for the fast finish, the boos for the wanton display of arrogance.

A cowboy villain entering a bar and shooting everyone in sight, then exits unhurriedly and nonchalantly mounts his horse, post-massacre.

Wisps of smoke arise from the still-warm twin revolvers tucked in opposite holsters attached to his belt, as he rides into the sunset as the original motion picture soundtrack of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly wafts through the desert air.

The problem with watching too many Westerns, lately.

UFC 130: Fight Card, News, Predictions, Results, and More!

 

I think we have Manny Pacquiao’s future MMA equivalent lurking here somewhere…for those interested in Philippine MMA, check out here the official Web site of our country’s premier MMA organization, the Universal Reality Combat Championship and our top MMA online forum at PinoyMMA.com.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 130: Frank Mir on Randy Couture & Why He’s the Man to Beat Cain Velasquez

Bleacher Report’s Bryan Levick:UFC Heavyweight Frank Mir has seen the ups and downs of his career, the UFC and mixed martial arts as a whole.After everything that’s been said and done, Mir is getting ready to enter his 10th season with the UFC, thus …

Bleacher Report’s Bryan Levick:

UFC Heavyweight Frank Mir has seen the ups and downs of his career, the UFC and mixed martial arts as a whole.

After everything that’s been said and done, Mir is getting ready to enter his 10th season with the UFC, thus making him the heavyweight with the most seniority.

Beginning at UFC 34 in November of 2001 where he defeated Roberto Traven with an armbar submission just 1:05 in to their fight, Mir has accrued a record of 12-5 with wins over Mirko “Cro-Cop,” Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Tim Sylvia and Tank Abbott to name a few.

During that time he has been the UFC Heavyweight Champion and an Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Mir is set to turn just 32-years-old four days before his bout with former training partner and fellow Las Vegas resident Roy Nelson. So, as he embarks on the journey back to the UFC mountaintop, Mir knows he needs to be impressive over Nelson if he expects to make any progress and movement up the heavyweight ladder.

As usual, Mir is taking his opponent extremely seriously and putting in a hard day’s work each and every day he trains. Maybe that’s why he was unaware that the UFC had implemented a new policy and will be offering fighters insurance in-between fights.

He also wasn’t sure if he was getting bumped up to the co-main event now that the Edgar-Maynard bout is off due to injuries.


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UFC 130 Fight Card: Rampage Jackson Talks Matt Hamill Fight on Media Call

Bleacher Report’s Sean Smith:With his main event fight against Matt Hamill at UFC 130 drawing near, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson answered several questions regarding his preparations for his upcoming bout and other topics. Prior to signing on to fight at…

Bleacher Report’s Sean Smith:

With his main event fight against Matt Hamill at UFC 130 drawing near, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson answered several questions regarding his preparations for his upcoming bout and other topics.

Prior to signing on to fight at UFC 130, Jackson had been offered a title shot against former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. However, Jackson turned down the opportunity and faced a lot of criticism from judgmental MMA fans.

“I’m a fighter and I’ve been fighting for a long time. I have common sense,” Jackson said. “I knew Shogun was going to have ring rust after taking a long time off after injury. There’s no way I could’ve took the fight on like four or five weeks notice. It’s no secret that I put on weight in between fights. I wouldn’t have even been able to make weight, so it would’ve been stupid for me to even try to do that.”

In his most recent fight, Jackson won in a controversial split decision against Lyoto Machida. Initially, Jackson seemed surprised by the decision, but “Rampage” expressed a different opinion on the UFC 130 conference call.

“I’m always surprised when judges give me a decision,” he said. “That’s one reason for the reaction with me being really silly, but I watched the fight. I think I did just enough to win.”

During his training camp for Hamill, Jackson has been without nutritionist Mike Dolce, who has provided a lot of help with Jackson’s weight management in the past. Despite the absence of Dolce, Jackson appears comfortable with his weight and condition.

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