Matt Hamill Criticizes “Cheater” Jon Jones and Responds to Fans Criticizing His Call for a Rematch.
Former UFC light heavyweight fighter Matt Hamill has reignited his feud with Jon Jones, taking his criticism to new heights by accusing the UFC heavyweight champion of cheating. This comes after Hamill’s recent call for a rematch with Jones, which has drawn significant attention and backlash from fans and analysts alike.
Matt Hamill is known for handing Jon Jones his only official defeat in the Octagon, a result of Jones being disqualified for illegal 12-to-6 elbow strikes in December 2009. The fight ended abruptly in the final minute of the first round, marking a controversial end that still sparks debates in the MMA community.
Despite this defeat, Jones went on to achieve greatness, becoming the youngest UFC champion by defeating Shogun Rua at UFC 128 just four fights later. However, the shadow of the disqualification loss to Hamill has never fully faded.
In a surprising turn of events, the ban on 12-to-6 elbow strikes was lifted earlier this week by the Association of Boxing Commissions’ Combat Sports Commission. This rule change, effective from November 1, 2024, has revived discussions about Jones’ disqualification and sparked new hopes for an appeal.
Seizing the moment, Hamill publicly called for a rematch with Jones in the heavyweight division. This bold move has been met with both support and severe criticism from the MMA community.
Facing backlash, Hamill took to social media to defend his call for a rematch. Responding to a critic on BJPenn.com’s Facebook page, Hamill remained unapologetic and firm in his accusations against Jones.
“Lol look it up,” Hamill replied. “I was doing well on my feet until my arm got caught in the canvas and broke my collarbone. I couldn’t get off the bottom. It was easy for him to hit me; not bad having to defend with one arm. I asked for a rematch but he kept getting in trouble with USADA for steroids. That was a summer, I don’t like cheating. Thanks for your support. Woooooooooooo.”
Hamill further elaborated on his view of Jones as a heavyweight fighter, sharing a less-than-flattering opinion.
“Lol, he’s heavy and slow,” Hamill commented. “I would beat him. Double or nothing. Wooooooooo.”
As of now, Jon Jones has not responded to Hamill’s latest remarks or the challenge for a rematch. Jones is currently preparing for his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, expected to take place later this year. Meanwhile, Matt Hamill, now 47 years old, has been out of MMA competition since 2018.
The renewed feud between Hamill and Jones adds an intriguing layer to the already dynamic world of MMA. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Jones addresses the accusations and the call for a rematch, potentially setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the MMA world eagerly anticipates the next moves from both Matt Hamill and Jon Jones.
