In his entire 21-fight career, Matt Hamill fought many of the best fighters in the world and got his hand raised in victory many times. However, throughout his time as a top-level mixed martial artist, “The Hammer” not once was able to hear the roar of the crowd as they cheered him on, as he has been deaf since he was born.
This didn’t prevent the Ohio native from becoming a successful fighter, though, as Hamill recorded 10 wins inside the UFC Octagon at one point, as well as a superb college wrestling career.
Matt Hamill Acquires Life-Changing Tool For Deafness
While he did attain many triumphs during his combat sports tenure, Hamill scored easily the biggest victory of his life after receiving a pair of high-power hearing aids. With them, the 48-year old was miraculously able to hear for the first time in what can only be described as a completely wholesome moment for the former UFC contender.
Taking to social media, Matt Hamill happily posted that he was able to hear his family’s voices, and even seemingly mundane noises such as the sounds of individuals walking.
“I just got the most powerful digital hearing aids ever made,” Matt Hamill began. “For the first time in 41 years, I can finally hear my kids’ voices, the sounds of people walking and laughing. I finally heard my mom’s voice and she cried. I’m looking forward to hearing my brother Pat’s voice too. I only hope he doesn’t have a voice like a foghorn. This is awesome although I know it will take time to adapt to all of this.”
Matt Hamill Now Has Two Biggest Wins MMA Community Has Ever Seen
For a deaf man to finally be able to hear the world around him for the first time, it must seem like a dream come true. However, this isn’t the only time Hamill has shocked the world. Back in 2009, he went up against the man that many pundits and fans consider to be the greatest fighter of all time in Jon Jones.
For the entirety of the first round, the young Jones pummeled Matt Hamill on the ground, unloading a vicious barrage of elbows and busting him up badly. All signs seemed to have been pointing to a dominant TKO stoppage for the future champion, but, bafflingly, the referee stopped the fight to deduct a point from “Bones” for apparently throwing an illegal downward elbow.
When Hamill couldn’t continue due to the damage caused by his adversary, Jones was ultimately disqualified and Matt Hamill was awarded the win.
This win has since become historic and controversial, as Jones has not lost since the bout, going on to become a two-division title holder.
@joerogan @danawhite @JonnyBones to supports overturning Jon Jones DQ loss to me to a no contest? Well I'm not complaining about jones in the past what he used illegal substance when he fought me.12/6 elbow is illegal. Back to back wins. How about rematch?
— Matt Hamill (@HamillHammer) June 26, 2019
Hamill, on the other hand, remained in the UFC for another six years, going 3-3 with losses to Quinton Jackson, Alexander Gustafsson, and Thiago Silva. Upon his departure from the promotion, “The Hammer” fought under a variety of banners all around the world, including World Series of Fighting, Venator FC, and Combate Americas. He retired in 2018 after beating Chris Birchler with an overall MMA record of 13-8.
