Hamill ends retirement, planning for UFC 152
source| sports.yahoo.com
A one-year retirement was just about enough for light heavyweight Matt “The Hammer” Hamill, who has opted to resume his fighting career and will compete next at UFC 152 in Toronto on Sept. 22.
Hamill will meet UFC newcomer Roger Hollett. UFC president Dana White confirmed the move and said the fighters have verbally agreed to fight each other.
Hamill, 35, rose to prominence in 2006 during “The Ultimate Fighter 3.” He is deaf and his struggle to overcome his disability and compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts earned him a large following. He was featured in a 2010 movie, “The Hammer.”
He is the only man to have a victory over UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, though it was a highly controversial win. Jones controlled the entire fight, but was disqualified by referee Steve Mazzagatti for throwing an illegal elbow.3
Hamill earned a Knockout of the Night bonus vs. Mark Munoz, and a Fight of the Night bonuses vs. Seth Petruzelli and Keith Jardine.
Hamill retired last year following losses to Rampage Jackson and Alexander Gustafsson.