UFC Fight Night: Stephan Bonnar to fight Matt Hamill?

Stephan Bonnar (11-4) and Matt Hamill (3-1) could possibly fight during an upcoming UFC Fight Night SpikeTV special on April 2, according to the MMAWeekly.com rumors section.
It's slated for the same show that will feature the lightweight showdown between Kenny Florian and Joe Lauzon as the main event.
Light heavyweights Bonnar and Hamill are both former contestants on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) who have large fan followings thanks in large part to their participation on the mixed martial arts (MMA) reality series.
In fact, Bonnar is credited as half of the reason the UFC is currently so popular for his epic three-round war (a loss) with Forrest Griffin at the conclusion of the original TUF. He has had some issues outside of the Octagon since that time, but has returned to rattle off two straight wins.
Hamill is also perhaps best known for a loss, which came at UFC 75: "Champion vs. Champion" against local product, Michael Bisping. It's safe to say that it was the most controversial decision in the short history of the promotion.
He was supposed to get an immediate rematch; however, Bisping decided to move down to middleweight after sustaining the first loss of his career to Rashad Evans during the main event at UFC 78: "Validation" in November while Hamill recovered from knee surgery.
If it comes about this is a tough fight for Bonnar because he struggled mightily to defend the takedown against Rashad Evans back in 2006. Evans is a sound wrestler and a case can be made that Hamill is even better.
We shall see.
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57 comments
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should be a decent fight. going with hamill getting the decision
by ramping on Jan 7, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonner vs. Hamill!!!
I must say I love both these guy’s but I believe it’s a bad call for both. Bonner wins [and Hamill] was not as skilled.
Hamill wins Bonner is washed up.
Both these guys have HUGE hearts but I’ll go on record now saying that I think Hamill should fight a couple of fights with opposition that is closer to his fight caliber. Get some more cage experience and he could very well be a dominent force for sure.
Regaurdless, I must say goodluck and godspeed to both of you.
by anthony cazares on Jan 7, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hamill is going to get smoked by a fighter who actually has good stand-up, not just good stand-up when compared to the rest of his training partners.
by pw on Jan 7, 2008 4:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is hard to call, but I have to go with technique over brute strength(a la Danzig/Speer). Hamill has improved vastly but Bonnar is still the better fighter. Bonnar by arm bar rd. 3.
by Nine Duce on Jan 7, 2008 5:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonnar wins the split decision. Hamill can’t beat him stand-up but has too much slip to get KO. Hamill can easily win on the ground but he has a tendency to try to stand anyway where he’ll lose another controversial decision. Even if it goes to the ground, I think that Bonnar is on a strong road to rebuilding his career & will avoid the ground loss.
by bk on Jan 7, 2008 5:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’ve gained a lot of respect for Hammill after the way he publically accepted the controversial loss to Bisping. This fight card should be titled “Reniassance Men” as all four fighters mentioned (Lauzon, Florian, Bonnar, Hammill) appear to be successfull people in general – each have achieved a post secondary education and display humility and athleticism.
by Muscle Dolphin on Jan 7, 2008 5:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonnar? This guy still in the UFC? Dana gave him too many chances or maybe Bonnar is a cheap pay for Dana so he can use him as a walkout. Hamill is too strong for him. But I don’t trust Bonnar because he’s a sneak and a cheater. He failed a drug test for steroids so he’s a bitch like sherk. Hamill will kick his ass.
by gorelord on Jan 7, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i can see Hamill taking it if he goes for the takedown. i dont see him lasting long if he stands with Bonnar
by MMA Wallpapers SF on Jan 7, 2008 5:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
going with Bonner via TKO
I’m still not convinced that Hamill can take a hit
but I know for a fact that Bonnar can dish out the hits all night long
by jjdnb on Jan 7, 2008 5:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
this is actually exciting. two dudes who feel no pain, but it could go either way. very explosive stand-up fight? or slow crawling and brawling on the ground?
by kavedaddy on Jan 7, 2008 5:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was really suprised at Hamill’s ability to land strikes on Bisping. However, I dont think he will have the same luxury is here.
Bonnar seems to have a confident agression about him at the moment, calling on the UFC to put him on the main card and ask for bigger fighters.
This guy is going down the same path as forrest and really going to be a force in the 205 pound division.
Bonnar by TKO.
by DownUnder on Jan 7, 2008 5:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hamill is one of my favorite fighters. I’d love to see this fight! (I still want to see Hamill/Bisping II though.)
by Scooby on Jan 7, 2008 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What about Hammil vs Bisping..for that shameful decision handed to Hammil and free b to Bisping.. Bisping is aherb..he could finish his biz with Hammil b4 dropping to 185.
by PhilQNY on Jan 7, 2008 6:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hamill is a great wrestler, extremly strong however he seems to get drwan in to another fighters game plan, i kno he should have won the bisbing fight, but he stood with him, instead of wrestling him, and using elbow strikes from inside full guard(as much as i hate to say it, he has trained with tito who is extremly good at dis), he also stood with mike nickles, who at the time claimed to be a streetfighter!! Bonnar is a golden gloves champion, and the way i see it is if this fight stays standing, bonnar will out box hamill, and on the ground, bonnar is great with submissions, i just dont c this being a good fight for hamill!!
by jslim on Jan 7, 2008 6:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonnar will not have much of a problem this fight. hamill’s only chance would be to finish him early which won’t happen. second and third round will be Bonnar’s. We’ll just see how Matt comes out in the first.
can’t wait!
by bushswinger on Jan 7, 2008 6:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
good match but the more I think about it I think bonnar will smash him. Hammil should of won his last fight but bingsbe sucks.
by roger on Jan 7, 2008 6:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
P.S. anyone noticed how clustered this picture is? Looks like Hamill’s arm is snapping backwards to hit bonnar. its kind of hard to look at.
by bushswinger on Jan 7, 2008 6:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
www.ngcfightscience.com check this out. there doing a segment on MMA fighters
by white rhino on Jan 7, 2008 6:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This a terrible fight for Matt Hamil. Bonner is a BIG 205 lb not a little twirp like Bisping. Bonner is durable and very skilled.
In the stand up, Bonner will wreck Hamil. Bonner will pick him apart really bad. Bisping was too gun shy against Matt and it made Hamil look better then he is. Hamil has a decent jab, but he has a tendancy to over reach when he throws his jab and he leaves it out there way too long. Bonner will expose that and make him pay every time hamil does that. Hamil is gonna try his luck on his feet, pay the price and then start looking for desperate takedowns. Realistically I would have to say that Bonner will get takendown by Hamil, but Bonner is a very skilled ground fighter. Check out his fight against Mike Nichols who is a skilled ju jitsu guy. Bonner displayed excellent ground work in that fight. Dominating the ground fight. That high skilled ju jitsu will be to much for Hamil. Hamil will land a couple of elbows in the ground and pound, but Bonner will eat them, work his submissions, and eventually catch Hamil.
I will guarentee a win for Bonner in this fight for sure.
by john on Jan 7, 2008 6:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This a terrible fight for Matt Hamil. Bonner is a BIG 205 lb not a little twirp like Bisping. Bonner is durable and very skilled.
In the stand up, Bonner will wreck Hamil. Bonner will pick him apart really bad. Bisping was too gun shy against Matt and it made Hamil look better then he is. Hamil has a decent jab, but he has a tendancy to over reach when he throws his jab and he leaves it out there way too long. Bonner will expose that and make him pay every time hamil does that. Hamil is gonna try his luck on his feet, pay the price and then start looking for desperate takedowns. Realistically I would have to say that Bonner will get takendown by Hamil, but Bonner is a very skilled ground fighter. Check out his fight against Mike Nichols who is a skilled ju jitsu guy. Bonner displayed excellent ground work in that fight. Dominating the ground fight. That high skilled ju jitsu will be to much for Hamil. Hamil will land a couple of elbows in the ground and pound, but Bonner will eat them, work his submissions, and eventually catch Hamil.
I will guarentee a win for Bonner in this fight for sure.
..and just to add..Xtreme Couture into the equation..Bonnar beats Hammil.
by PhilQNY on Jan 7, 2008 6:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yea hamils a good wrester but will probably try to stand with bonnar and get picked apart untill he gets TKOed or survives and bonnar will win by decision.
by alex on Jan 7, 2008 7:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Or hamil takes him down and aviods submissions and dry humps his way to a decision. imo he won’t be able to aviod his subs.
by alex on Jan 7, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What about Hammil vs Bisping..for that shameful decision handed to Hammil and free b to Bisping.. Bisping is aherb..he could finish his biz with Hammil b4 dropping to 185.
No doubt. Bisping will be the biggest UFC bust at any weight.
Hammil got robbed v. Bisping, but Bonnar is gonna shred him. If this fight stays standing, Bonnar will pick him apart.
If it goes to the ground, Bonnar is BJJ master…I’m not sure why he likes to stand so much.
by SaVaGe on Jan 7, 2008 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He was a golden gloves winner thats why he likes to stand
by alex on Jan 7, 2008 7:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That a pretty sh*ty photo of bonnar it looks like he got kicked in the nutts or hes taking a crap and hamils arm is morfing into the arm that is trying to punch bonnar.
by alex on Jan 7, 2008 7:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I prefer Hamill much more but but being realistic I agree with those saying Bonnar’s hands are too good for him.
I only see this going to the judges if Hamill only takes him down and lays on top.
Hamill has the ability to take him down so if that hapepens I’d love to see the GNP winning it for the Hammer. I’d say he’ll only want to finish fights even more instead of being screwed by judges………again
Still lyke Bonnar and loving that he got another chance after the steriods charge
Every one makes mistakes…..except Sherk who was just screwed over. Still believe in his innocence
by (Republic not Northern) Irish UFC fan on Jan 7, 2008 7:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
man f that …..hamill bisping rematch now…and yes i know bisping dropped a weight class
by jdawg on Jan 7, 2008 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This will be an interesting fight. Bonnar has been training with extreme Couture and appears to be confident and showing improvement. Hamill cannot be taken for granted and has exhibited power and determination.
I agree with Anthony C that Hamill should get more cage experience before he goes in with Bonnar. Bonnar has a lot more to lose than to gain by taking this one.
by Taped Up Pair on Jan 7, 2008 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is hard to call, but I have to go with technique over brute strength(a la Danzig/Speer). Hamill has improved vastly but Bonnar is still the better fighter. Bonnar by arm bar rd. 3.
Don’t forget how big Bonnar is. He’s a huge dude for 205 too. I’m going with Bonnar by either TKO in round 3 or UD. Since I said that he’ll probably lose!
by RobH86 on Jan 7, 2008 10:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonner could take this. He is a lot bigger than Bisping and his striking is bit better as well.
by c-war on Jan 7, 2008 10:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
bonnar is too much of a well rounded fighter for hamill…hamil won’t be able to rely on strength against bonnar…he’ll learn pretty fast that bonnar is a different fighter than bisping, i say bonnar by first or second round sub…
by tha spida on Jan 7, 2008 10:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i like both these guys alot and its gonna suck that one of them will have to lose.but bonner will probablly win in a good fashion but if hamill wins then he should move up to a contender and get a name like jardine,evans,soko,silva,gun
by box91 on Jan 7, 2008 11:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The winner of this match is going to move up higher in the rankings than people think,IMO Bonnar would have three straight victorys, and if he beats Hamill down Dana would have no choice but to give him a bigger name like Shogun and if hamill pounds out a victory he mite see the likes of Evans or soko someone that matches up good with him,thats the least he can do since we can’t see the rematch of america vs the british
by white rhino on Jan 7, 2008 11:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
As much as I want my hometown boy Hamill to win, I don’t think his stand up is good enough to match Bonnar. He has an awesome wrestling background, but I don’t think that will be enough to pull out the win. I’ll have to go with Bonnar on this one.
by UFCGirl on Jan 7, 2008 11:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What about Hammil vs Bisping..for that shameful decision handed to Hammil and free b to Bisping.. Bisping is aherb..he could finish his biz with Hammil b4 dropping to 185.
Thank You!!
Where are all the angry fans that demanded a rematch with Bisping? Dana has the ability to make that fight happen. Bisping should be asking for that fight before he drops down. Maybe he’ll man up.
by Jrandolph on Jan 8, 2008 1:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does everybody think that Hamill will stand and trade with Bonnar? I see Hamill taking him down at will and ground and pound the hell out of him. I just see a totally different fight happening, I don’t see Hamill playing into the hand of of an exchange war!
by Ray on Jan 8, 2008 4:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Thank You!!
Where are all the angry fans that demanded a rematch with Bisping? Dana has the ability to make that fight happen. Bisping should be asking for that fight before he drops down. Maybe he’ll man up.
Bisping wanted the rematch!
Hamill went and got surgery… what is Bisping meant to do wait around for a guy that he has already beaten.
Bisping is a natural 185’er and should not put his career on hold to finsh up with Hamill.
I take Bonnar on this one, too experienced and strong standup.
by Nick J on Jan 8, 2008 5:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
This will make a great war.. I like both these guys characters and would say Hamill wins this one based on the theory that he will take him down and pound him out. Bonner won’t give up but ref stops it anyways cos of strikes on ground. Hamill learnt the hard way NEVER leave it to a judge. If he tries to stand bonner wins by decision cos his boxing is better.
by markg on Jan 8, 2008 5:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
With this card being a Wednesday night in April the first episode of the next season of TUF will probably debut right after like they usually do.
by AJ on Jan 8, 2008 8:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does everybody think that Hamill will stand and trade with Bonnar? I see Hamill taking him down at will and ground and pound the hell out of him. I just see a totally different fight happening, I don’t see Hamill playing into the hand of of an exchange war!
Ray: u obviously aren’t familar with Bonners ground skills. Bonner has high level ju jitsu that doesnt get the credit it deserves. If Bonner gets taken down, I am sure he will catch Hamil in something. He will probably eventually take his back and finish Hamil. Hamil’s takedowns were so dissapointing against Bisping. Bisping stuffed a couple of takedowns and when Hamil did get Bisping to the ground, he couldnt control him and Bisping scrambled to his feet.
Bonner will finish this fight easily either standing or on the ground.
by john on Jan 8, 2008 8:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Enough already with the Bisping/Hamil rematch. Come on already its over. There are plenty of fighters out there capable of giving Bisping a beating. I dont even want to see a rematch between Hamil and Bisping……Bisping vs. Hamil 2 aint happening so get over it.
by john on Jan 8, 2008 8:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
In other news: Chuck wants rematch vs. Jardine..check it out.
After UFC 79 I wrote that chuck seems like he is back and he should demand a rematch with Jardine…..looks like I was right.
I wouldnt mind seeing the rematch. The 1st fight was pretty good even though chuck wasnt his usual self. The rededicated chuck would push the rematch to be even better then the 1st one.
by john on Jan 8, 2008 8:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I guess i will comment on the fight I want to see, and thats Lauzon vs Florian, man I see Joe beating the shit out of kenny just like diego did in the 1st tuf finale, joe is a huge lightweight and he has very good standup, and wrestling and is too strong to get submitted by kenny so cant wait to see lauzon win.
by hector on Jan 8, 2008 8:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
In other news: Chuck wants rematch vs. Jardine..check it out.
http://www.mmajacked.com/
After UFC 79 I wrote that chuck seems like he is back and he should demand a rematch with Jardine…..looks like I was right.
I wouldnt mind seeing the rematch. The 1st fight was pretty good even though chuck wasnt his usual self. The rededicated chuck would push the rematch to be even better then the 1st one.
If this fight does manifest..and Chuck does beat Jardine..who should he fight nest? how many fights should he get before a a title shot?
I think if they have Rashad vs Thaigo and Chuck vs jardine on the same card..the winner should fight for the number 1 contender spot..and then fight the winner of Page/Forrest.
by PhilQNY on Jan 8, 2008 9:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
i think if bonnar works on td defense it will be an easy fight for him also bonnar is great with submission off his back and on top so he has the possibility of submitting hammill. Bonnar has a huge advantage in the stand up and i see him winning this fight as he has a wide variety of skills while hammill is still very one dimensional
by matt on Jan 8, 2008 12:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
When Bonnar faced Rashad, he got taken down and stuck in a BJJ game with a good wrestler. He has slick BJJ skills, but was not able to pull off a submission, and could not wrestle his way back to the feet.
This time, he is again facing a good wrestler, but remember that he has traded camps and is now with a great wrestler. If he had a weakness before it was in the wrestling, which I am sure will be much improved, take down defence included.
On paper Bonnar has better stand up, better BJJ, more experiance, a better camp, and more heart. All I can give to Hammil is wrestling. I don’t think its enough. Bonnar by TKO Rd2.
by 2DUM2TAP on Jan 8, 2008 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ray: u obviously aren’t familar with Bonners ground skills. Bonner has high level ju jitsu that doesnt get the credit it deserves. If Bonner gets taken down, I am sure he will catch Hamil in something. He will probably eventually take his back and finish Hamil. Hamil’s takedowns were so dissapointing against Bisping. Bisping stuffed a couple of takedowns and when Hamil did get Bisping to the ground, he couldnt control him and Bisping scrambled to his feet.
Bonner will finish this fight easily either standing or on the ground.
I don’t know about Bonnar finishing this fight on the ground. Last time Bonnar fought someone of Hamill’s caliber he got worked by a guy named Rashad Evans! BJJ skills or not Hamill is stronger and more gifted on the ground, I see Hamill mopping the floor with Bonnar!
by Ray on Jan 10, 2008 4:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know about Bonnar finishing this fight on the ground. Last time Bonnar fought someone of Hamill’s caliber he got worked by a guy named Rashad Evans! BJJ skills or not Hamill is stronger and more gifted on the ground, I see Hamill mopping the floor with Bonnar!
Exactly, couldnt have said it any better..
by Josh on Jan 22, 2008 12:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I never thought Matt H belonged in the UFC or MMA. He really does not have the talent or the skills to perform with these fighters. People will argue and say he will get better and he is a great wrestler and all kind of stuff but the truth is Matt is not a full contact kind of fighter. Anyone with a eye for the sport can tell you how to beat Matt. Start fast and hit him in the mouth. Matt loses his heart really fast. He has a very low threshold for pain. The rest of the night will be spent trying to make him engage. Just to be fair, I think he is at a real disadvantage not being able to communicate. As long as you keep him away from guy’s who can really light him up he will be O.K.. Never would he be able to take hit’s from guy’s like Rampage or Chuck. Jardine would be a good fight for Matt his heart will really be tested there.
by mikeg on Jan 23, 2008 2:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bonnar wins the split decision. Hamill can’t beat him stand-up but has too much slip to get KO. Hamill can easily win on the ground but he has a tendency to try to stand anyway where he’ll lose another controversial decision. Even if it goes to the ground, I think that Bonnar is on a strong road to rebuilding his career & will avoid the ground loss.
Bonnar does have a better stand up yes but Hamill stood up with Bisping because he torn his ACL, with Nickels because he hurt his shoulder and would be hard to use it for wrestling, he stood up/GnP with petruzelli and stood up with rex holman cuz that guy just sucks
by The Boss on Jan 23, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hamill is frikken scary he’s stronger than rampage and somehow with his deafnes or i dont know what has a six sense i just dont see anyone beating the guy he’s superhuman. – its weird how he’s hasnt fought much since the bisping farce rip off – it’s like he’s too powerful and the LHW division is being spared his wrath.
I WANNA SEE HIM COMPETE!!!!!!
by patrickgamil on May 23, 2008 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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