There are two avenues one can take to get the big match-ups in the UFC -- work your way up through the ranks by defeating whomever is put in front of you or learn how to work the microphone put in front of you and call out the big dogs.

In the case of Matt Hamill, he did a little bit of both, defeating a few middle of the pack light heavyweights before turning his attention to Quinton Jackson.

Well, his intentions were more or less on breaking into the top 10 and when Thiago Silva submitted a drug test "inconsistent with that of a human" after his win at UFC 125, it left "Rampage" without a date on May 28 in Las Vegas.

That's when "The Hammer" decided to make a call to matchmaker Joe Silva and let him know he was exactly the man for the job.

In what will likely be the toughest test of his young career, with a potential title shot on the line, Hamill thinks he's more than ready to rise to the challenge (via MMAFighting.com):

"I know I'm going to break his will - I know I'm going to beat Rampage. I've been training real hard and my conditioning and my skills and technique, striking and kicking are a lot better. The first time I heard, I was really excited because I wanted to face him. I think it's my moment and time to shine, so I'm really excited to fight Rampage."

Confidence is key but is the three-time NCAA Division III National Wrestling Champion biting off a little more than he can chew?

The last time Hamill fought a top-ranked opponent, Jon Jones, he was absolutely manhandled before being awarded the win via disqualification after "Bones" got a little overzealous with his "12-6" elbows, which are currently outlawed in North American MMA.

A win over Jackson would put the first deaf fighter in UFC history one step closer to a rematch -- only this time, the stakes will be much higher.

Matt Hamill, champion 2011 anyone?