TUF 10 Profile - Matt “The Hammer” Hamill

Matt “The Hammer” Hamill

Age: 33
Record: 8-2-0 

Before TUF 10 Finale

It’s hard not to be a Matt Hamill fan, because if you aren’t, you’re a bad person. The former TUF competitor and Deaflympic gold medalist is just an overall likeable guy but has been in tough of late in the UFC.  

Hamill came out of the gate gangbusters winning his first three fights in the UFC. Unfortunately, Hamill has lost two - his only fights against elite fighters - of his five fights since, and a lot of people are starting to wonder if Hamill will forever be a bottom dwelling light heavyweight, preying on the weaker fighters within the division. 

That being said, Hamill has rebounded nicely from being outclassed by fellow Ohio brethren, Rich Franklin at UFC 88. With two wins - both finishes - in his last two fights, - the last of which ended with Hamill sending Mark Munoz’ head into the seventh row - Hamill has picked up some steam and is looking to steal Jon Jones’ thunder.  

Fight with Jon Jones at TUF 10 Finale 

This is a big fight for “The Hammer.” With a win, Hamill could really vault himself back into the light heavyweight middle-class, whereas a loss would all but finish him. At a surprising 33 years old, it’s hard to imagine his best years are truly ahead of him, so it’s really a now or never type scenario for the wrestler. 

At 22 years old, Jon Jones is a rising star in the UFC and has the hands to prove it. If Hamill wants to win this fight it will be all about weathering the early storm and picking his spots. Jones will be throwing some early barrages. He is a big boy and it’ll be tough to take him down but Hamill has great cardio and his strategy has to be to push the pace and try to tire him out and look to go to work on a tired Jones. 

This has the billing of a classic wrestler vs. striker affair, but both fighters are comfortable on and off the mat and will truly be about who ends up settling into the other fighters realm. 

After TUF 10 Finale 

If he's serious about his career in MMA then Hamill's TUF 10 Finale fight with Jon Jones is a must-win. With a win, he could look to face a number of fighters in a stacked light heavyweight division. Look towards a Randy Couture type encounter. 

With a loss Hamill is going to be in tough. He can expect to find his way back to the under card and become more of a stepping-stone for new fighters in their climb up the ladder. Look for Hamill to fight someone in their UFC debut, probably someone we’ve never heard of before.