What’s up Fat Lady fight fans? Today brings some sad news from the UFC. Following his loss this past Saturday night, Matt “The Hammer” Hamill has officially retired from the UFC. Citing his ailing body and lack of competitive desire, Matt released a statement on his website saying:
“Today is a sad day for me. After six years and 13 fights in the UFC I’m ready to hang up my gloves and retire from this amazing sport …I just don’t have it in me to fight anymore and my last two performances have shown that.”
Inspirational legend. Godspeed, Hammer.
Hamill, who was born deaf, has not only left a lasting impact on the MMA world but has been a role model and leading figure among the deaf community ever since making a name for himself on season three of The Ultimate Fighter. Prior to starting his MMA career, Hamill was a three-time NCAA Division III National Champion in wrestling (167-lb class in 1997, 190-lb class in 1998 and 197-lb class in 1999) while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. Hamill also has a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling and a gold medal in freestyle wrestling from the 2001 Summer Deaflympics. In 2010, a movie titled “Hamill” was made chronicling the life and achievements of Matt and is scheduled to be released in late 2011.
Hamill, like I mentioned yesterday, was a brand name among UFC fighters and a fan favorite throughout his six year MMA career. He will surely be missed and I, for one, hope to see him stay involved with the sport, in whatever capacity, for many more years.
