Matt Hamill vs Mark Munoz UFC 96 fight in the works

by James Iannotti on Jan 11, 2009 9:31 AM EST

MMAmania.com can confirm that a 205-pound match up between "The Ultimate Fighter" 3 alum Matt "The Hammer" Hamill (5-2) and two-fight World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) veteran Mark "The Philippine Wrecking Machine" Munoz (5-0) will likely be added to the UFC 96 card at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7.

It will be the first trip back to the venue for the organization since it set North American attendance records at UFC 68: "The Uprising" almost exactly two years ago on March 3, 2007. Hamill, an Ohio native, was also a part of that event. He defeated Rex Holman on the under card by first round technical knockout.

In all, "The Hammer" has seven professional fights to his credit ... all under the UFC banner. After being medically sidelined before the semi finals of the reality show, he debuted for the promotion at the season three finale in June 2006 and was victorious with a first round technical knockout stoppage of Jesse Forbes.

Hamill has also defeated Seth Petruzelli, Tim Boetsch and Reese Andy inside the Octagon. His two losses came at UFC 75: "Champion vs. Champion" in a very controversial split decision to Michael Bisping and at UFC 88: "Breakthrough" in a third round technical knockout to Rich Franklin.

Munoz turned some heads with two strong showings under the WEC banner in 2008. The ridiculously-talented collegiate wrestling champion from Oklahoma State University debuted for the promotion at WEC 34: "Sacramento," scoring an impressive first round technical knockout win over Chuck Grigsby (who had a professional record of 13-3 at the time).

Six months later he was back in action on the WEC 37: "Torres vs. Tapia" card. And, again, he was impressive with a first round technical knockout, this time over WEC newcomer Ricardo Barros.

Like Hamill, Munoz brings a strong wrestling background to the cage. He was a decorated wrestler in high school and in college. In fact, Munoz was the 1996 NHSCA National High School Champion at Vallejo high school in California, as well as the 2001 NCAA National Champion as a member of the Cowboys.

Hamill has basically relied on his strength and wrestling to win his five fights in the UFC. This fight with Munoz, however, could be the first time he faces an opponent who can match him in those areas.
It should be a very even and competitive match up.

For the latest UFC 96 fight card and rumors click here.

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Comments

hopefuly hamil looks good again, imo he looked gassed from the 1 second in the reese andy fight. i def think hamil’s a better fighter then that. he’s usally a good fighter so i hope that guy shows up

by shinbob on Jan 11, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions

IMO, he’s been going downhill ever since the Franklin fight. Spotlight must have got too bright for Hammill.

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 11, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions

I never cared much for Hammil. I dont think he is very good. Thats just my point of view though. He is very sloppy fighter, that survives only because he has a good chin

by john on Jan 11, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

When has he ever used his wrestling? He likes to stand up and throw ugly punches, which is why technically sound fighters like Ace (and to a lesser extent, Bisping) are going to take him apart.

by PW on Jan 11, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

I gotta go with Munoz here. First of hall better wrestling – Hamill’s wrestling was great because he didn’t face good NCAA wrestlers. It was the deaf-Olympics. Also I have a lot of appreciation for wrestlers that can actually do significant damage from guard or while riding the back- Igor Vovchanchyn style.

by NameNotRequired on Jan 11, 2009 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

Like John, I’m not a Hammill fan. The UFC keeping him around reminds me of Hollywood or the music industry using a “token dwarf” in their productions. Hammill’s not good for much more than novelty entertainment value. Maybe he’s Dana’s pet…

by BigRedOne on Jan 11, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

War Munoz!

by Pat on Jan 11, 2009 9:56 AM EST reply actions

you pinoy bro? me too! War Munoz!

by matthew on Jan 11, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

noypi here!!!

by rp on Jan 12, 2009 7:33 AM EST up reply actions

DUDE!!! Did Roger Huerta Really Have Sex With Arianny???

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 11, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions

definitely .. sob

by shamo84 on Jan 11, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

Nah! She would never cheat on me! lol

by Dana's a Crossdresser on Jan 11, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Mat Hamill needs to significantly improve his technique or he’s going to go away. Against weaker, less skilled opponents he does a fair impression of an unstoppable force, pushing people around and shrugging off punishment, but any of the better 205s out there will pick him apart.

by MattNY on Jan 11, 2009 10:07 AM EST reply actions

I cant believe that Matt Hamill is in the UFC, he is a punching bag that refuses to take anyone down, he just lumbers forward taking abuse he is the worst fighter in the UFC.

by Spyder on Jan 11, 2009 10:09 AM EST reply actions

BrutalKnockout – wel thats what ppl are sayin cus they had a video camera and wer interviewing eachother in this hotel room. it was on mmamania ages ago!

by Randy for Couture on Jan 11, 2009 10:21 AM EST reply actions

Wow, that is one lucky dude. I never got to see that article on here. They were just interviewing each other??

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 11, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

I’m sure she just loved having her personal life bandied about by a couple idiots with a handi-cam. Stay classy Roger.

by PW on Jan 11, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

Um, have you not seen the video? I just watched and she knew the cameras were there the whollleee time. It’s not like its some “Thats my privacy!” sorta thing dude.

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

No, is there a link somewhere?

by PW on Jan 11, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

Youtube, go type in Roger Huerta/Arianny and just browse till you find it.

by BrutalKnockout. on Jan 11, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

The UFC had an event at Nationwide Arena last year, Silva vs. Henderson, on March 1st.

by Brian on Jan 11, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions

i would really love to know who is going to be headlineing this show since i am going, but i guess the ufc is struggling to find a main event.

by matt on Jan 11, 2009 1:02 PM EST reply actions

mark it down Munoz via ko round 3

by matthew on Jan 11, 2009 1:20 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, Matt looks pretty sloppy most of the time! But, I’ll go to my grave believing he won the Bisping fight! He’s a real American kid who’s tough as hell and has alot of heart! I say he does belong in the UFC and I like to watch him fight! He does appear to gas out a little too much, tough! But, he never stops! He’s got a decent record, especially knowing he really beat Bisping! So did Rashad! I do agree however, if he would use his awesome takedown ability he would be more exciting and win more fights! I can think of several fighters that don’t belong in the UFC, but, Matt isn’t one of them!

by Dana's a Crossdresser on Jan 11, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions

Hamill should have won the Bisping fight. He didn’t look especially good, but he definitely should have won.

That doesn’t change the fact that Bisping got screwed by the judges in the Evans fight.

by MattNY on Jan 11, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

I like this match up. Should be interesting. I don’t really see the logic in those who are completely discounting Hamill. His two losses have come against two of the top guys in the UFC. And most unbiased observers feel that Hamill clearly won the Bisping fight. His other loss came against a guy he practically worships and credits with changing his life by getting him into MMA. So somehow I don’t believe his heart was truly in the Franklin fight. But either way, I’m really forward to this fight.

by Ernesto on Jan 11, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions