Tag: Matt Hamill

UFC 152: Matt Hamill Gets New Opponent as ‘The Janitor’ Steps In

Matt “The Hammer” Hamill is set to come out of retirement and make his comeback at UFC 152. And now, he’ll face a fellow longtime veteran.Originally set to face Canadian Roger Hollett, Hamill will now step inside the Octagon against Vladimir Matyu…

Matt “The Hammer” Hamill is set to come out of retirement and make his comeback at UFC 152. And now, he’ll face a fellow longtime veteran.

Originally set to face Canadian Roger Hollett, Hamill will now step inside the Octagon against Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 152.

As  MMA Weekly reported, Matyushenko will make his 2012 debut on short notice, welcoming back to the Octagon the former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter.

Matyushenko is 4-2 since returning to the UFC back in 2009, with his two losses coming against two of the best in the division: Alexander Gustafsson and Jon Jones. Matyushenko has also fought top guys like Tim Boetsch, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Tito Ortiz throughout his career.

Hamill has fought against some of the biggest names in the sport as well, including bouts against Mark Munoz, Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping and Tito Ortiz. And he is the only man to hold a win against current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, although it was by disqualification and was highly controversial.

Hamill had won five straight before losing two in a row against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Alexander Gustafsson and opting to retire from the sport. But after a year away from the cage, he is set to return to action.

UFC 152 is scheduled for September 22nd in Toronto. It will be headlined by the inaugural flyweight championship fight between Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson. It has yet to be determined if the bout will fall onto the main card or the preliminary card.

 

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Comment of the Week 8/6 – The Nominees


(You’ve earned this.) 

After we took a test run with last week’s Comment of the Week survey, we weren’t really sure how you all would react when given even the smallest bit of power. Because let’s be honest, most of you (at least those who comment) come across as a “unique in a Ted Bundy way” kind of crowd. You know, the kind of people that cross names off their hitlists with lipstick and cry themselves to sleep…in a good way.

Thankfully, you managed to pick the comment that we had originally voted for as your winner, and completely validated yourselves in the process. Don’t get used to us patting you on the back, because the only thing that happens less than us writers giving you readers your due credit is you readers giving us writers ours. That being said, this week’s competition looks like it’s going to be fierce, with everything from our “If UFC Fighters Were in the Olympics” post to the downfall of Frank Trigg providing opportunities for several brilliant, if not politically incorrect and relentlessly dark, comments.

Going with the idea that one of you suggested, the comment that won last week will be carried over to see how long it can reign supreme. We are also only going to take one comment from each reader, as to keep this poll from turning into a full blown clusterfuck. On that note, join us after the jump for the best of the best, and vote on which comment you think takes the blood-flavored cake this week.


(You’ve earned this.) 

After we took a test run with last week’s Comment of the Week survey, we weren’t really sure how you all would react when given even the smallest bit of power. Because let’s be honest, most of you (at least those who comment) come across as a “unique in a Ted Bundy way” kind of crowd. You know, the kind of people that cross names off their hitlists with lipstick and cry themselves to sleep…in a good way.

Thankfully, you managed to pick the comment that we had originally voted for as your winner, and completely validated yourselves in the process. Don’t get used to us patting you on the back, because the only thing that happens less than us writers giving you readers your due credit is you readers giving us writers ours. That being said, this week’s competition looks like it’s going to be fierce, with everything from our “If UFC Fighters Were in the Olympics” post to the downfall of Frank Trigg providing opportunities for several brilliant, if not politically incorrect and relentlessly dark, comments.

Going with the idea that one of you suggested, the comment that won last week will be carried over to see how long it can reign supreme. We are also only going to take one comment from each reader, as to keep this poll from turning into a full blown clusterfuck. On that note, join us after the jump for the best of the best, and vote on which comment you think takes the blood-flavored cake this week.

And your nominees are…

–Pen Fifteen on “Matt Hammil Pulls a Jamie Varner”

–Grandma’s Nutmeg on “The Girl in The White Dress”

–angry little feet on “Josh Koscheck Injured, out of UFC 151″

–Landulf on “Jon Jones Signed a Deal With Nike”

–RWilsonR, As Good As Anyone, and MMAExpertNewb on “If UFC Fighters Were in the Olympics”

–weedrulz on “Frank Trigg in custody on battery charges”

–VivaHate on “It’s Cool, Hector Lombard Was Just Injured”

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

–J. Jones

Matt Hamill Pulls a Jamie Varner and Un-Retires, Brilliance of His Decision to Be Determined at UFC 152


(No, Rampage, that’s not a white tiger! Bad Rampage! Down!) 

Can MMA fighters just start referring to these so called “retirements” as what they really are (an extended vacation), or do they simply have too much pride? I only ask because, after retiring less than twenty pay-per-views ago (that’s roughly a year in human people time), it appears that TUF 3 light heavyweight alum Matt Hamill will be returning to action at UFC 152, where he will be taking on promotional newcomer and Bellator veteran Roger Hollett.

Being that Matt is one of the more inspirational figures in the sport, not to mention hails from just a few towns away from me, I was initially excited to hear this news. Sure, Matt will probably not be getting his revenge (or whatever you’d call it considering he won) on Jon Jones anytime soon, but he makes for a great addition to any card, and produces good fights for the most part with the occasional skull shattering KO mixed in. However, upon reading over what BG (or at least who I assume was BG, being that I’m the only one who signs his damn posts around here) wrote when Hamill originally announced his retirement, I couldn’t help but reconsider:

Prior to Saturday night, Hamill’s only career losses came against former champions Quinton Jackson and Rich Franklin, as well as his controversial split-decision loss against Michael Bisping…But losing to a mid-level up-and-comer like Gustafsson (Ed note: How things change in a year, amiright?) was apparently the final sign that the game was passing him by. It’s rare to find an MMA fighter who hangs up the gloves before the sport has completely chewed him up. Hats off to Hamill for a fantastic career, and for knowing when to walk away.

Granted, Hammil stated that part of the reason he had decided to retire was due to a “career [that] has been plagued by injuries starting with The Ultimate Fighter and disrupted my training ever since,” so perhaps he has finally had the time to sufficiently heal up. That being said, what do you think of his decision? Will it go the way of Jamie Varner, or is “The Hammer” just setting himself up to get dicknailed?


(No, Rampage, that’s not a white tiger! Bad Rampage! Down!) 

Can MMA fighters just start referring to these so called “retirements” as what they really are (an extended vacation), or do they simply have too much pride? I only ask because, after retiring less than twenty pay-per-views ago (that’s roughly a year in human people time), it appears that TUF 3 light heavyweight alum Matt Hamill will be returning to action at UFC 152, where he will be taking on promotional newcomer and Bellator veteran Roger Hollett.

Being that Matt is one of the more inspirational figures in the sport, not to mention hails from just a few towns away from me, I was initially excited to hear this news. Sure, Matt will probably not be getting his revenge (or whatever you’d call it considering he won) on Jon Jones anytime soon, but he makes for a great addition to any card, and produces good fights for the most part with the occasional skull shattering KO mixed in. However, upon reading over what BG (or at least who I assume was BG, being that I’m the only one who signs his damn posts around here) wrote when Hamill originally announced his retirement, I couldn’t help but reconsider:

Prior to Saturday night, Hamill’s only career losses came against former champions Quinton Jackson and Rich Franklin, as well as his controversial split-decision loss against Michael Bisping…But losing to a mid-level up-and-comer like Gustafsson (Ed note: How things change in a year, amiright?) was apparently the final sign that the game was passing him by. It’s rare to find an MMA fighter who hangs up the gloves before the sport has completely chewed him up. Hats off to Hamill for a fantastic career, and for knowing when to walk away.

Granted, Hammil stated that part of the reason he had decided to retire was due to a “career [that] has been plagued by injuries starting with The Ultimate Fighter and disrupted my training ever since,” so perhaps he has finally had the time to sufficiently heal up. That being said, what do you think of his decision? Will it go the way of Jamie Varner, or is “The Hammer” just setting himself up to get dicknailed?

Prior to the second round loss he suffered at the hands of Gustafsson at UFC 133, Hammil dropped the aforementioned unanimous decision to Jackson in a snoozer at UFC 130, but prior to that, he collected five straight victories over the likes of Keith Jardine (via MD), Tito Ortiz (via UD), and Jon Jones (via DQ) among others. His record currently stands at 10-4, with 6 of those victories coming by way of (T)KO.

Hamill will be squaring off against 13-3 Roger “The Hulk” Hollett, who has put together a five fight win streak of his own over the past three years. Though he doesn’t hold many notable victories to his credit, Hollett most recently scored a split decision victory over John Hawk in his Bellator debut last November. Upon doing a little research, I found that John is in no way related to Lincoln Hawk, who would have totally thrown Hollett through a glass door on his way to the ring and that would’ve been the end of it. So……there’s that.

…

*crickets* 

Who you like for this one?

–J. Jones

Matt Hamill Returns to the Octagon at UFC 152 in Toronto

After one year out of the Octagon, Matt Hamill has decided to return to the UFC, and will make his return at UFC 152 in Toronto, Canada.Hamill will face Roger Hollett, who is 13-3 with 11 finishes and will be making his UFC debut.Hamill was last seen i…

After one year out of the Octagon, Matt Hamill has decided to return to the UFC, and will make his return at UFC 152 in Toronto, Canada.

Hamill will face Roger Hollett, who is 13-3 with 11 finishes and will be making his UFC debut.

Hamill was last seen in the Octagon at UFC 133, where he was TKO’d in the second round by Alexander Gustafsson. Prior to that, he dropped a unanimous decision to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the main event of UFC 130.

Hollett will be making his Octagon debut, after fighting one time with Bellator, where he earned a split decision victory over John Hawk.

Overall, Hollett has four (T)KO victories and seven submission victories, while fighting in Bellator and MFC. He is currently on a five fight winning streak, with two decisions, two submissions and one TKO.

It is unclear at this time if this fight will be a part of the preliminary card or the main card.

 

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on Twitter @TimMcTiernan.

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5 Professions That Would Benefit from MMA Training

Believe it or not, MMA can do more than just entertain. Training in the sport can be a great way to learn self-defense, stay in shape, and even save your life. While the average person may not have to worry about life-or-death situations too …

Believe it or not, MMA can do more than just entertain. 

Training in the sport can be a great way to learn self-defense, stay in shape, and even save your life. 

While the average person may not have to worry about life-or-death situations too much, there are certain professions where knowing some MMA can be of great assistance.

Here is a list of some professions that would benefit greatly from MMA training. 

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Muñoz Should’ve Taught Okami About “This Big White Foot Coming at Me”

Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz and Yushin “Thunder” Okami both caught the same fight-ending thundering wallop inside the Octagon. Muñoz’s happened three years ago in UFC 96; Okami’s came onl…

Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz and Yushin “Thunder” Okami both caught the same fight-ending thundering wallop inside the Octagon.

Muñoz’s happened three years ago in UFC 96; Okami’s came only last Saturday night on UFC 144.

The Filipino-American was sent to dreamland in the first round in Ohio, USA; the Japanese fell in the third and last round in his home country in Saitama, Japan.

The Filipino Wrecking Machine got wrecked in his UFC debut by Matt Hamill. On the other hand, the Thunder was silenced as a veteran by Tim Boetsch, his second consecutive KO loss, coming off a failed title shot courtesy of champion Anderson Silva.

No matter the circumstantial differences, both Muñoz and Okami met the same sleep-inducing head kick that cost them their consciousness and respective fights. (Though he didn’t fall instantaneously, it was still the kick that staggered Okami and enabled Boetsch to pummel and finish him off.)

As it happened to him first, Muñoz shared this humble assessment about his fight versus Hamill during his press conference last February 20 in Pasig City, Philippines:

He never kicked [in his previous fights]. I never really saw he was gonna kick, then I saw this big white foot coming at me.

Muñoz admitted that he was relatively raw and more of a pure wrestler when he debuted in the UFC versus Hamill, having competed in MMA previously in WEC and other promotions for less than two years.

The former NCAA Division I wrestling champion also confessed that that loss was what compelled him to concentrate more on striking, making him brave L.A. traffic for seven months to train with famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

Muñoz rightfully believes that his vast improvement in striking took him to where he is now, as one of the top middleweight MMA fighters of the world.

Easier said than done, especially in hindsight and from the couch, but all MMA fighters must learn this lesson from Muñoz and Okami’s losses: be prepared for any of the various attacks allowed in MMA.

A particular attack may not be your opponent’s bread and butter, but he might just pull it off as a deadly surprise.

“Protect yourself at all times” and keep your eyes wide open.

Otherwise, another speeding big white foot may come along, and you’ll never know what hit you.

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