TUF 11 Finale Preview: Will Matt Hamill End Keith Jardine's Run in the UFC?
by Leland Roling on Jun 19, 2010 10:21 AM EDT
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Previously dubbed the main event of the evening, the light heavyweight showdown between The Ultimate Fighter season three contestant Matt Hamill (8-2, 7-2 UFC) and The Ultimate Fighter season two semifinalist Keith Jardine (15-7-1, 6-6 UFC) will now serve as the co-main event of the evening. Jardine is currently in the midst of a three-fight losing streak as he was dropped by Ryan Bader and Thiago Silva, and he lost a decision to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 96. His last win took place at UFC 89 against Brandon Vera in October of 2008.
Hamill has been much more successful, although he hasn't faced the competition that Jardine has over the last couple of years. He's currently on a three-fight win streak, but his most recent victory came against a rampaging Jon Jones who illegally elbowed Hamill with 12-to-6 elbows. Hamill was unable to continue due to a shoulder injury, but the fouls were what ultimately disqualified Jones. Jones would have easily finished off Hamill, but it doesn't change the fact that Hamill was able to defeat and finish off Reese Andy and Mark Munoz in previous performances.
There isn't a whole lot of relevance to this match-up. A lot of fans have discounted both Jardine and Hamill as mid-level fighters who don't really have the mustard to push themselves into the upper-echelon, or in Jardine's case -- only stick in that upper-echelon for a short period of time. What this match-up could signal is either an end to Jardine's run with the UFC or the opportunity to begin the process of turning things around in his career.
Both men are sitting in their low-to-mid thirties coming into this fight, but it's apparent that age is affecting Jardine more than Hamill. Hamill's skill-set definitely allows him to be more effective with age, but Jardine should provide some danger in his awkward striking ability in this fight. Unfortunately, Jardine's power has never been threatening, and Hamill has the strength to be more of a threat in taking Jardine down and punishing him from the top.
I won't delve deep into this fight with boring analysis. We all know what each fighter brings to the table. Jardine will maintain his feet and strike with that awkward movement and style while Hamill will try to forge ahead with his own awkward striking and clinch tactics to gain a takedown. I'd normally side with Jardine against a fighter like Hamill, but Jardine's chin has weakened considerably. He's been crushed twice in his last two fights, and even though Hamill has only produced standing knockout... I think he can produce the power to knock out Jardine from the top after a takedown rather easily.
Jardine has a chance to frustrate Hamill over three rounds, but I'm not inclined to pick a fighter who cruises to decisions and doesn't have much going for him in terms of finishing ability. Hamill, at the very least, has a way to win with the fifteen minute time limit, and I think Jardine's chin is going to be tested. I'll take Matt Hamill here.
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Jardine needs to retire if he gets KO'd again
Interesting how no one is making a big deal about how dangerous it is for Jardine to be fighting again, the same way everyone was talking about Chuck last weekend. He’s 5 and 2 in his past 7 fights, with both wins coming via split decision and 4 of 5 losses coming via brutal KO (H. Alexander, Wandy, T. Silva and Bader.) From a medical or technical standpoint, Jardine is at the same spot in his career where Chuck is right now – after getting KTFO’d by Rich. Except no one seems to notice that Jardine is already most likely looking at having numerous medical/neurological problems later in life. One more brutal KO and he could frickin’ die on the spot for all we know.
"If I wanted to spend a half hour between two hairy legs I'd go to your mother's house." -Don Frye
by mburtoni on Jun 19, 2010 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Hes not Dana Whites buddy buddy though, so therefor, it dosnt matter. Saddly.=/
"Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit." -Mike Tyson
Hamill is kind of just a less highly touted Ryan Bader. He’s a big powerful wrestler with less defined muscles. Bader is probably better than Hamill at what he does, but they are both pretty similar fighters. Its almost like the UFC is giving Jardine a do over. I don’t think he’ll be able to take advantage of it though.
"I am a man who pisses largely and frequently, which they say is a sign of great mental activity" -Henry Miller-
Yeah
It kinda seems that the UFC is done with Jardine.
I really see this as a tune up fight for Matt Hamill. He should be better than Keith in every department. Save for “Un-orthodox striking”.
"Alas, there is no time-share on my balls." -Luke Thomas
I wonder
if Hamill was all ripped if he would get (or gotten) more hype and if all the gay Ubereem fans would be slobbering over him like they do with all guys who have impressive physiques.
I think you doth protest too much...
Dude. It's Anderson Silva.
If he gives a damn he will end Sonnen’s night by either sub or KO.
-SSreporters
By Monday morning Chael Sonnen will be pissing out of his neck.
-Also SSreporters
Perhaps Hamill will expose Bader as over-rated
Even though Hamill is probably better suited to stay at 185,
by BigDNotDallas on Jun 19, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I am going with the Techno Viking here...
I think he will go all old skool and oddly strike and move Hammil to a decision.. Btw, has anybody else had problems getting into BE today?
Take ONE Karate class, if you're so into Karate... - Charlie to Mac
"The Iceman has officially melted..."
Gas tank
Would be the only thing holding him back.
"Clay "The Missing Link" Guida!!!"
by Adamantium007 on Jun 19, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
jardine still has the ability to finish fights with his striking and has an underrated ground game. i think it will be a tough fight, but fighting another wrestler should be advantageous for jardine. he needs to take his last game plan and figure out what was working and what was not working. i am getting on jardine just cause he is from my home state, but fighting a wrestler that is great at smoothering you is hard to over come.
ufc fan boy all the way
I'm betting on Jardine as well...
…it may be my last chance. Besides, if he’s training with good wrestlers like Rashad, he may be capable of sprawling and brawling to a ko or decision victory.
Hamill by TKO
Hamill, who only seems to rely on his wrestling defensively these days, will stand and bang the whoel fight. He has a really solid chin and just seems to walk through punches and keeps coming forward. It could lose him a decision but I think he will land some shots doing so and I have no faith in Jardine’s chin.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
That awkward, herky-jerky style"
Please retire this. War Hamill!
Slow Cooking! MMM-MMM GOOD!
"I Wanna Thank Joe Rogan!" - BJ Penn
Also, Hamill really likes dirty boxing, short punches, and uppercuts, while Jardine is very suseptible to that sort of attack (I cite his fights with Thiago and Wanderlei Silva’s, Houston Alexander, and Rampage Jackson). It’s likely a bad night for Jardine if Hamill can get in on him.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
Left Hook = unemployment line
"The only reason I'm cryin is cuz of the adrenaline."
by Earl Montclair on Jun 19, 2010 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I expect Hamill to just bomb lefts at Jardine
and one will eventually hit home. Jardine hates the right side of his body for some reason.
"Your not gonna jab and shoulder roll your way away from Brock Lesnar; He is gonna fuck you." - Joe 'High as Fuck' Rogan
I like Jardine, but he does seem to be in a downward spiral. I think Hamill will win. I don’t see hamill as a title contender, although with a win here, he might hang around for a while. Hamill v Bader would be interesting. They are very similar, strong wrestlers with decent punching.
I consider myself a softcore fan.
Jardine is at Jacksons, hits hard, good ground game, but is on a spiral, and from these interviews I’m watching he’s “Ready to shine” “Just getting my game together”. After going 1-4 in his last 5 I see him verging onto prelims or being cut.
Hamill has got great wrestling but doesn’t seem to be using it as of recently. He’s got a good chin, hits hard, and I can see him pulling a decision or late TKO.
Slow Cooking! MMM-MMM GOOD!
"I Wanna Thank Joe Rogan!" - BJ Penn
Jardine should not try his repeat of the “keep your hands down and catch the uppercut” defence he came so close to perfecting against Bader.
by TLow on Jun 19, 2010 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
dear god, that is so fu**ing funny. why is keith do the praying mantis b4 eating the uppercut.
He was actually doing pretty good for 2 rounds though. I think he will be on his back a lot more tonight.
ya he did pretty good, but still lost both in my eyes.
"Your not gonna jab and shoulder roll your way away from Brock Lesnar; He is gonna fuck you." - Joe 'High as Fuck' Rogan
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