On Monday August 25, 2008 the city of Utica N.Y. threw a pep rally for Matt Hamill. Matt is fighting the toughest fight of his life on September 6, 2008 at UFC 88 in Phillips, Georgia. Matt will be fighting his childhood friend Rich Franklin. After Matt graciously greeted, shook hands, signed his autograph, and took pictures with fans, I spoke with him to get his thoughts on the upcoming fight. First thing I wanted to know was about his friendship with Rich he told me, “Yes. He is a really good friend of mine. I helped him with wrestling takedowns. Rich and I we grew up together. We were raised and born in Cincinnati, Ohio. One day he asked me. He wanted some help with his takedowns so I just helped him out with takedowns and we’re still friends. No matter what, inside the ring or outside the ring. We leave friendship at the door. We two are professionals. I know it’s sad. It’s like fighting my brother but I have to do this. I fight for my daughter. I’m getting my name out there. I know he has more experience then I have. I’m inexperienced. My record is 6 and 1 and his record is 25 and 3. So that could be a stepping stone for me. He is a former World Champion that’s got me more motivated. I want to show what I got. I’m getting better every time I fight. So don’t miss my fight Sept 6th because I’m ready!”

Rich is fighting this fight by moving up in weight class from a middleweight to Light Heavyweight. I asked Matt if Rich was at a disadvantage for moving up in weight class. “No because he goes up in weight class he gets more energy. He had a hard time getting down to 185. Normal weight for him is about 220 so now he only has to go down to 205. My disadvantage is I won’t have a coach in my corner. I’m death. I cannot hear. So I have my own game plan. But that’s alright. I’m going to go out there and do my thing. Rich is a world class stiker. I have to keep my eyes open. It’s not going to be easy. There will be blood. I know that for a fact. I’m going to go out there with 100 percent and show them what I have.”

Matt has 30 acres where he plans to have a gym. He told me, “I’m a country boy. I like to train in the country.”

Attending the pep rally was an organization Matt has been working with to get mixed martial arts legalized in N.Y. State. I asked Matt what his contribution has been. He said, “When I found out there was no MMA in N.Y. UFC or any other MMA. I was shocked. I went to the senate and testified but they vetoed. I think it’s because it’s a bloody sport and they don’t like that.” You may check out the info for the organization called Anger Management at: http://www.angermanagement4mma.com. Matt has his own webpage as well. http://matthamill.com/.

The audio clips from Penny Buffington Interview with Matt Hamill

N.Y. State Senator Joe Griffo spoke at a pep rally for Matt & the Mayer of Utica N.Y. issued him a key to the city!

On September 6th Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell will be facing Rashad “Sugar” Evans at UFC 88 – Breakthrough.  Our monthly poll inidcates that very few people think Evans has any chance of winning.  On our Bodog Lines page they have Rashad as a +200 underdog and Chuck as a -260 favorite. 

The real question is, “Who Do I bet on?”  Well, that all depends.  Is Rashad the real deal?  Has he fought anybody that is in the same league as Chuck Liddell?  Evans is undefeated with names like Michael Bisping, Sean Salmon, Jason Lambert, and Stephan Bonnar as victims of his wining streak.  Pretty impressive.  Let us not forget the draw vs. Tito Ortiz.  Rashad has definitely proven that he is no slouch, but is he ready for The Iceman?  Will he be able to stay undefeated against the UFC megastar?

Let’s look at the other side of the coin now.  Chuck Liddell very well could be the most recognizable figure in MMA today.  He’s the pinnacle of what we call an MMA star.  He has not been on a win streak as of late, losing 2 of his last 3 fights against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Keith Jardine.  Another factor involved here is neither Liddell nor Evans has been in the Octagon since November of ‘07.  You never can tell how a fighter will return after that sort of absence.  Their last scheduled fight against one another was called off because of a Chuck Liddell hamstring injury that was described as “Not good.”  He was not able to touch his toes in May. 

For Chuck Liddell’s sake, let’s hope he has been doing more training over the last 3/4 of a year and less of THIS……