UFC: Franklin is Going to Beat Hamill? " I Can't Hear You . . . !"

Folks have been doing what folks do best and are gossiping about the upcoming Rich "the Ace" Franklin and Matt "the Hammer" Hamill fight.

Knowing that Rich is a well respected member of the UFC "veterans club" people are already choosing the "Ace", who I readily admit shows more dimensions in his fights than Matt Hughes and Chuck Liddell do, as being favored to win over the less experienced and relative newcomer, Matt Hamill.

Well, just keep talking guys, because no matter where you stand . . . I can't hear you!

I have been in love with young Matt Hamill since learning about him on the UFC TUF3 series. Matt becoming coach Tito's "pet" did not bother me one bit, and in fact was most easily understandable to me, as I have worked with "special people" too.

All of the potential Matt showed and the fact that he had won a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling and a gold in Freestyle wrestling in the Deaf Olympics were just a preview of his capabilities and presented a gold mine for Ortiz to discover during the series.

When the "winner" of TUF 3 Michael Bisping finally met his despised rival from the show in the octagon in England, few people believed that he actually defeated his foe although the referee raised the "Count's" hand. Matt Hamill, not being the one favored by the decision did not rant, rage or throw a tantrum--but many others around the world complained long and loud about the injustice done to him, including many Brits.

Now that Michael has gone down a weight class there may never be the satisfaction of a rematch with Matt to once and for all answer the question who is the superior fighter.

Matt's next big test comes at the hands of a former math teacher from Ohio; well respected by his past students, fighting peers and obviously by his huge block of fans.

But like his opponent, Matt has been a teacher as well. He has been teaching deaf students and has also taught wrestling to both middle school and high school students in Loveland, Ohio where his step father a wrestling coach first introduced Matt himself to the sport.

I adored Hamill even more after hearing of his meeting with a young autistic girl who overcame her disability to the point that she was able to learn American Sign Language because of her interest in meeting him. On a whim her parents called Matt and arranged to bring their daughter to his gymfor a surprise  meeting with him. Matt was thrilled to communicate with her and complimented her on her ability to sign with him. Her parents stated that their daughter "was over the moon" after the interaction with him. They apparently were over the moon with joy after the meeting as well. This is how generous and giving of his time to other "special people" Matt Hamill is.

In my recollections of the TUF series that came after 3, or TUF 4 "the Comeback" which is my all time favorite, I remember the legendary Rich Franklin, the popular math teacher (acting as a visiting coach) suggesting to Matt Serra that he should begin a fight by "taking a knee" on initially approaching his opponent (so he couldn't be kicked).  I would suggest that every one reading this get TUF4 to see how the other coaches and fighters responded to this "Ace" advice. It was pretty hysterical if I do say so.

I would like to believe that Rich himself knew how horrendous this advice was to give to to a fighter standing possibly 5' 6" (if he stretches) to do such an inane thing, but I have known enough teachers to believe he was not aware of his "faux pas".

At any rate, I will attempt to swim up the creek, against the tide, without a backup canoe or paddle and predict that my pick Matt Hamill will defeat the "Ace" and either shock the world or just the former math teacher by so doing. 'Cause that's the kind of fan I am.

Remember, I apologize to no man (or woman for that matter)for the opinions I express.