Matt Hamill replaces Thiago Silva, faces Rampage Jackson at UFC 130 (Update)
Posted on February 11, 2011, 11:35 PM by Joey SantosusAs previously reported, Thiago Silva has been withdrawn from his UFC 130 bout with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and it now appears that TUF 3 alum Matt Hamill will step in to face the former Light Heavyweight Champion.
Sources close to the situation informed Heavy.com of the potential replacement, while Hamill's head coach, Duff Holmes, confirmed with MMAFighting.com that he had, in fact, signed the bout agreement Thursday.
Jackson was originally set to face Silva at the Memorial Day weekend event before the Brazilian was removed from the card. While there is no official word at this time, there is speculation surrounding a secondary test being conducted on his urine sample from UFC 125. With no details from the Nevada State Athletic Commission concerning the results, it appears the UFC has decided to go ahead and call in a replacement for the bout.
Hamill is currently riding a five-fight win streak with an overall record of 9-2 with the promotion. Most recently he defeated his former Ultimate Fighter coach Tito Ortiz via unanimous decision and is the only fighter to claim a victory over current number one contender Jon Jones, who was disqualified after utilizing an illegal elbow strike. Initially, Hamill was scheduled to face fellow rising prospect Phil Davis at UFC 129. That bout, however, has since been removed from the line-up.
UFC 130 is set to take place May 28th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be headlined by Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard III.
Update:
"Rampage" Jackson has since shared his thoughts on the potential match-up, responding via Twitter:
With Jackson reluctant to accept the fight with Hamill, it will be interesting to see how things develop in the coming days. Check back with LowKick.com for more information as it becomes available.
Update #2:
It appears that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has changed his position on facing Matt Hamill at UFC 130 in May. Speaking to Yahoo! Sports, Jackson's manager Anthony McGann explained the new motivation, revealing that it was Hamill who requested the bout, calling out the former champion in hopes of putting himself in the title mix.
"We found out that Matt Hamill actually requested to fight Rampage," said McGann. "His camp pushed hard for it turning down other possible opponents. When Quinton found this out, his opinion rapidly changed on Matt Hamill (...) Those are brave words - So the fight is set for May 28."
"He wants me? Well, he can have me," Jackson added. "I'm gonna knock him into tomorrow."
UFC 130 is set for May 28th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will be headlined by Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard III.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Photo: Tracy Lee | Yahoo! Sports
Comments
Yes but Rampage will destroy him, the Phil Davis matchup made way more sense in my mind,I hope they still give him a legit opponent at 129.
Hamill vs Rampage is a bit weak...dont see how Rampage loses this one
good wrestling and very strong but ramapage is hard to take down and his boxing is far superior. Hamill's striking can be a bit sluggish. My prediction is rampage would smash him,and pretty easily. I think they are in different leagues without being nasty to hamil but its my opinion.
lol ! hamil is a beast lol! rampage is going too hurt this kid!
he is but i would have rather watch him fight davis it just would have been a more interesting fight and a good challenge for davis.
He actually has a chance. Unlike rampage, hamill does adapt. Rampage has gotten surprisingly far being basically just a boxer
this sucks! i was so looking forward to rampage vs thiago. if silva is for removed they better give him rashad. thats a good rematch.
I like Hamill, but Rampage is gonna KO him easily.
yes he will Rampge is hard hands and so fast Hamill just isnt ready...
hate to say it but one of Rampages easiest fights
rampages "easiest fight"? i bet no was sayin that when he fought wandy, and koed him easily, or what about liddel? no this wont be rampages easiest, not by a long shot. i think hamils going to suprise alot of people. still tho i think rampage is a bit too much for him.
lmfao.... are u comparing hamil to liddel or W. Silva? GTFO
wow another free win for rampage
"another"....who was his last free win Machida??
Maybe machida was free because the judges awarded it
Your mother must of drank heavily while you were in the womb
lol no he has problems with black guys
well that's disappointing.. not taking anything away from hamil but i was excited to see the rampage/silva fight
Easy win for Rampage...... The Thiago fight would had been awesome.. Damn.
people are so quick to count someone out, yea on paper it would seem that hamill will get crushed, but this is mma where anything can happen and anyone can beat anyone, it makes sense, hamill is riding a long win streak but dosnt have a win over a "top" fighter, if hamill can win he will be in the top 5 of the division and very close to a title shot, an for rampage it will give him a good fight against a top 10 opponent, even tho stats are against him, ill be pullin for hamill
Hamill is very good. Possibly he is top 20-30 but not top 10. Even if you just count the UFC there are at least 10 guys ahead of him. His "win" streak is misleading as well considering that Jones crushed him regardless of the DQ. That said, I agree with your point that he could beat Jackson. I would pick Jackson to win but if Hamill can make the fight a wrestling match (or if Jackson isn't motivated) he can win.
Hate to quote Dana, but don't judge the fight untill it happened. If Rampage isn't motivated fighting Hamill, who knows which Rampage will show up. I hope he is motivated enough to make shure he has got a good training camp, and not a lackluster one. \
Me personal, it's not the matchup I was waiting for, but I like the oppertunity given to Matt. This could be a big step up for him on the ladder.
Hope Mr. Wonderful gets a top-level opponent as a replacement.. Just wait and see, perhaps Franklin or Griffin? Just talking from the top of my head, but Franklin is a tough fight standing up for Mr Wonderful, although his wrestling is not the level of Hamills.. And Griffin has a win over Ortiz, just like Hamill..
We'll see
oo yea phil davis would manhandle tiny franklin :) i doubt franklin would take the fight if offered to him, the last thing he needs is to take a second loss, much less from someone who's only just graduating from the prelim cards
It's been said that Forrest is injured (can't recall whether it was arm or foot) and possibly be out for 6 months, so he can't be an option...for now, at least.
They might give Phil a fight with "the janitor" matyoshenko (spelling?), assuming he's still signed with UFC, of course. Or better yet, Stephen Bonnar!
Phil VS Bonnar would be dope !
*unfinished
bring ur pillow Matt
we want rampage - evans 2!!!!
agree. or rampage-griffin 2
i dont really want to see that rematch it wasn't the most spectacular fight to begin with and my guess is the rematch would play out pretty much the same
that would be awesome too!
If this turns out to be true then obviously Ramoage is the clear favourite, but as much as I love Rampage he's always vulnerable too lack of motivation and his opponent's using a gameplan to beat him by decision.
Unfinished business with Rashad? You had your shot at Rashad and you blew it this time. I find Hamill is usually more entertaining then Rashad most of the time anyway.
all these good match ups are being broken up...Lytle vs condit now silva vs rampage. I was really looking forward to them
It was cough syrup
im thinking a matt hamill lay an pray is the only way for him?
Now people dont be counting out Hamill, from what I saw from UFC 125 I saw alot of upsets so dont be thinking Rampage will look for an easy knockout.
This shows us that Rashad probably turned down the Rampage fight, meaning Rashad is afraid that he'll lose to Rampage after winning it threw a safe fighting style last time.
Why should he take a rematch with a guy he just decisivly beat.
Rashad is likely waiting to see how the title fight goes before he signs any contracts - if Jones loses the fight he will probably be able to get a chance at a match vs Shogun again..
just might be a reason that a fighting style is considered "safe"
Well, that and also he said he was never offered the fight... He said if he had been he would have liked to face Rampage in a rematch. Some things are just pure speculation and rumor. All it takes is for one website to get incorrect info and then it spreads like a wildfire lol
Why is everyone shutting down Matt Hamill as someone Rampage will walk through? While I know Matt Hamill has slimmer chances than most to actually win the title I think the perseverance in his fights shows hes not to be taken lightly. Let not forget, Rampage hasn't looked exactly spectacular for awhile now.
Only one here that makes any sense. Hamill IS a beast and should not be taken lightly. All these Rampage fanboys are dillusional. I'm tired of the popularity contest attitude towards fights. Rashad dominated Rampage and he knows it. Rampage does not want to fight Hamill because HE KNOWS Hamill is stronger than he is, and that he could very well lose this fight.
Same thing I was thinking as I was reading through ALL these posts. I love Rampage and want him to win but I believe he will have a hard time vs Hamill. After watching the Rashad fight, I believe Matt can do the same thing plus he is more aggresive on the ground than Rashad is. It all depends if Matt can get that takedown or not. All in all it should be a great fight and a good test for both fighters.
Not only that, Hamill is still hungry. No one can question his heart in fights even in a loss. Can we say the same thing about Rampage?
No not always haha.
Matt probably been underestimated all of his life it be a big mistake for Rampage to think he can roll over Matt .. Matt has been getting better every time u see him ...he has a true heart of a lion
So after 55,000 tickets are sold, you decide to pull out?