• UFC 130

Rampage easily beats Hamill with fractured hand

Rampage Jackson caught Matt Hamill with some hefty blows © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Jon Jones reveals Rampage will be his next opponent
  
• News: Machida 'ready' to make Jon Jones his problem
  
• News: Stann allays injury fears as Rampage awaits X-ray
  
• News: Fractured hand could cost Rampage title shot - White
  
• News: Shattered Nelson dominated by Frank Mir
  
• Profile: Rampage Jackson

Quinton Rampage Jackson stands on the cusp of a title shot at UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones after he put a beating on Matt Hamill in the main event at UFC 130.

Completely dominant and body-shuddering in the stand-up, Rampage was barely tested in the other elements of his game as Hamill barely put up a challenge, only earning admiration for his ability to survive the 15 minutes as Jackson took home a unanimous 30-27 decision.

Hamill was the man who asked for Saturday's bout, he was the one attempting to convince the public that he belonged in the main event. The former TUF contender's wrestling was meant to act as Rampage's kryptonite, but it didn't even come close.

On paper it looked like a one-sided fight, with Rampage the far more powerful fighter, and Hamill's wrestling not at the world class level necessary to trouble the former champion. The odds were so stacked in Rampage's favour that he even faced endless pre-fight questions asking him if he was motivated for the bout.

When the pair finally shared the same Octagon, every expectation came to fruition, with Hamill's challenge rendered redundant as soon as he failed with his first two takedowns attempts. He wasn't even close to levelling Rampage, a man who has fought off the attentions of the likes of Dan Henderson in the past.

As a result, the main event became a boxing match, and few beat Rampage when it comes to trading leather. By the end of round one, Hamill's mouth was bloodied and his senses scrambled by some big hooks. In round two the damage was worse as Rampage landed uppercuts, hooks and knees to the body.

The only question mark remaining was Jackson's ability to finish the fight, which he chased to the final second, but Hamill absorbed everything, collapsing to his knees at the final bell. It was a beating, and it was a beating everybody knew had been coming.

"What's that... I didn't get taken down?" quipped a victorious Jackson. "Matt Hamill's tough, I thought I'd knock him out. I must apologise for not putting on the fight I wanted to, because I came into this with a fractured hand, but I still fought for you guys.

"I'd give myself five out of 10 tonight."

Full UFC 130 results:
Renan Barao bt Cole Escovedo unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Michael McDonald bt Chris Cariaso via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Gleison Tibau bt Rafaello Oliveira via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:28 of round 2
Tim Boetsch bt Kendall Grove via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Demetrious Johnson bt Miguel Torres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brian Stann bt Jorge Santiago via TKO at 4:29 of round 2
Rick Story bt Thiago Alves via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Travis Browne bt Stefan Struve via KO at 4:11 of round 1
Frank Mir bt Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Quinton Jackson bt Matt Hamill via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.