After a career breaking barriers and stereotypes, Matt Hamill has decided to retire from fighting. He lost his last two fights, and on his website, he said that both injuries and a lack of desire to go on factor into this decision.
I just don't have it in me to fight anymore and my last two performances have shown that ... I was ready to make this decision after UFC 130 but my friends, family coaches and most importantly my daughter encouraged me to give it one last chance. My career has been plagued by injuries starting with The Ultimate Fighter and disrupted my training ever since ... I can't continue to fight without having the hunger and desire to do so. I can't let my performances reflect on my coaches who are the best in the world and the reason I've made it this far.
Hamill was TKO'd by Alexander Gustaffson at UFC 133 on Saturday, and before that, dropped a decision to Quinton Jackson at UFC 130. Before that, he has several career highlights: decision wins over Tito Ortiz and Keith Jardine, and a headkick knockout of Mark Munoz in front of his home crowd in Ohio at UFC 96.
But his win-loss record only tell a small part of Hamill's amazing story. Born deaf, he wrestled in high school and college before earning a spot on the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter." Despite not being able to hear his coaches instructions during fights, he still put together a respectable MMA career. He also changed attitudes by showing that a lack of hearing doesn't mean a lack of toughness or capability in the cage.
Hamill said that he hopes to continue to stay involved with MMA as a coach, ambassador and fan. Hopefully, the UFC will find a way to utilize him to continue inspiring fighters and fans alike.
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