UFC 130: 'Rampage' Jackson vs. Matt Hamill Results and Bonuses

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UFC 130 Results and Bonuses: 'Rampage' Victorious, Browne Earns 'Knockout Of The Night'

UFC 130's results are in and the bonuses have been handed out, as Saturday night's fights in Las Vegas have come to an end.

In the main event, Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson grinded out a decision victory over Matt Hamill, stuffing every shot, while dominating the TUF veteran on the feet.

Heavyweight Frank Mir outclassed his opponent in a similar fashion during the co-main event, destroying the rotund Roy Nelson in the clinch, and taking him down at will on route to a decision victory. 

Welterweight Rick Story pulled the biggest upset of the night, pressing the pace and staying in the pocket of former title contender Thiago Alves to earn a unanimous decision over the Brazilian.

Travis Browne left the arena a rich man, taking home "Knockout of the Night" honors after his thunderous, highlight-reel first round superman punch KO of fellow heavyweight Stefan Struve.

The knockout:

In the last fight of the main card, ex-Marine Brian Stann took a huge leap within the middleweight division, notching an exhilarating victory over former Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago via second round knockout. The win took home "Fight of the Night" honors, and was the most significant of the young prospect's career.

Full results:

Quinton Jackson def. Matt Hamill via Decision (Unanimous)

Frank Mir def. Roy Nelson via Decision (Unanimous)

Travis Browne def. Stefan Struve via KO (Superman Punch) Round 1 (04:11)

Brian Stann def. Jorge Santiago via TKO (Punches) Round 2 (04:22)

Rick Story def. Thiago Alves via Decision (Unanimous)

Demetrious Johnson def. Miguel Torres via Decision (Unanimous)

Tim Boetsch def. Kendall Grove via Decision (Unanimous)

Michael McDonald def. Chris Cariaso via Decision (Split)

Gleison Tibau def. Rafaello Oliveira via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2 (03:28)

Renan Barao def. Cole Escovedo via Decision (Unanimous)

Bonuses:

Submission of the Night: Gleison Tibau ($70,000)

Knockout of the Night: Travis Browne ($70,000)

Fight of the Night: Brian Stann and Jorge Santiago ($70,000 each)

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UFC 130 Weigh-In Results: 'Rampage' Jackson, Frank Mir, Rest Of Card Make Weight

All fights are official for UFC 130, as every combatant made weight at Friday afternoon's pre-event weigh-ins. Both headliners, Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson and Matt Hamill, came in at exactly 205 pounds for their light heavyweight clash. Similarly, Frank Mir and Roy Nelson -- the card's second biggest bout -- both weighed in at an identical 260 pounds, a rarity in the less restrictive heavyweight division.

The fighters weighed-in at the following amounts:

Main card:

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (205) vs. Matt Hamill (205)

Frank Mir (260) vs. Roy Nelson (260)

Thiago Alves (170) vs. Rick Story (170)

Stefan Struve (255) vs. Travis Browne (247)

Brian Stann (186) vs. Jorge Santiago (185)

Preliminary card (to be broadcast live on SPIKE):

Miguel Torres (135.5) vs. Demetrious Johnson (135.5)

Kendall Grove (185) vs. Tim Boetsch (186)

Preliminary card (to be streamed on Facebook):

Gleison Tibau (155) vs. Rafaello Oliveira (155)

Michael McDonald (136) vs. Chris Cariaso (135)

Renan Barao (135) vs. Cole Escovedo (135)

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UFC 130: 'Rampage' Jackson vs Matt Hamill Live Weigh-Ins Stream And Results

The day before the big event has come and SB Nation is here to provide you with all of the ‘UFC 130: Jackson vs. Hamill' pre-fight action. Starting at 4 p.m. MST, we will bring you a live stream of the UFC 130 weigh-ins. The card will be held on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is headlined by a bout between former light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson and TUF veteran Matt Hamill.

Bonus coverage of a fan Q&A with UFC light heavyweight prospect Phil Davis will be held at 2 p.m. MST.

Click here for the Live Stream

UFC 130 Matchups:

Main card:

Light Heavyweight bout: #4 LHW Quinton Jackson vs. #17 LHW Matt Hamill

Heavyweight bout: #8 HW Frank Mir vs. #12 HW Roy Nelson

Welterweight bout: #4 WW Thiago Alves vs. #23 WW Rick Story

Heavyweight bout: #21 HW Stefan Struve vs. #23 HW Travis Browne

Middleweight bout: #14 MW Brian Stann vs. #8 MW Jorge Santiago

Preliminary card (to be broadcast live on SPIKE):

Bantamweight bout: #5 BW Miguel Torres vs. #9 BW Demetrious Johnson

Middleweight bout: Kendall Grove vs. Tim Boetsch

Preliminary card (to be streamed on Facebook):

Lightweight bout: #25 LW Gleison Tibau vs. Rafaello Oliveira

Bantamweight bout: #14 BW Michael McDonald vs. Chris Cariaso

Bantamweight bout: #15 BW Renan Barão vs. Cole Escovedo

All rankings via USA Today/SB Nation

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Strikeforce: Winner Of KJ Noons Vs. Jorge Masvidal To Get Title Shot Against Gilbert Melendez

The talented, but outspoken K.J. Noons seems to have spilled the beans regarding the state of the Strikeforce lightweight title while talking to MMAWeekly Radio.

"This is for the No. 1 contender for the 155, and then I get a title shot," Noons said about his fight with Masvidal.

"I was actually supposed to get a shot back last year, but that opportunity came up to fight (Nick) Diaz, they asked me if I would move up to fight for the title, and a lot of people wanted to see that, so I said sure no problem so we made it happen.

"Now I'm back in my original weight class, and I'm just going to put on exciting fights."

When the original matchup was made, there were rumors swirling regarding the implications of the bout. However, nothing official had been released until Noon's little slip.

Although this is an interesting development, it does seem as if these plans were made with the haphazard intention of Noons smashing his way through Masvidal. ‘Gamebred' may not be the best of fighters, but he certainly is no slouch either. This is mixed martial arts, anything can happen. Planning with little regard to that fact is a dangerous move for an organization to make, just ask the defunct EliteXC.

While a Noons/Melendez matchup would undoubtedly excite MMA fans, should Masvidal -- the owner of just two lightweight wins within the organization in the last three years -- pull the upset, a Masvidal/Melendez championship fight would surely flop.

Strikeforce may have made these plans with the best of intentions, but they are playing with fire. Let's just hope it doesn't explode in their faces.

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UFC 130: VIDEO: Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson, Matt Hamill Talk Underdogs, Retirement At UFC 130 Pre-Fight Press Conference

While it's not the main event Joe Silva and Dana White may have envisioned for UFC 130 -- that title falls to Frankie Edgar's championship rematch with Gray Maynard, which fell through the cracks after both fighters were forced to withdraw due to injuries -- some get the feeling that Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill will prove to be a worthy headliner.

Hamill provides a high energy style that could provoke ‘Rampage' into a blistering firefight. Still, both men have had some clunkers on their résumés, so one can only speculate whether this makeshift main event will work out for the UFC brass.

Regardless, both fighters seem eager to get back into the cage for their first fight of 2011.

During the press conference both men discussed Hamill's underdog status at length, with ‘Rampage' brushing off the idea that there is added pressure to him with his trademark charisma. Though, given the extended pause during his answer, it's possible that it could be in his head more than he lets on.

Also noteworthy were Rampage's comments on his continued statements that he intends to retire once he reaches age 35. As that date gets closer, it will be interesting to see whether the former champion holds true to his promise, or, like most aging fighters, discovers that the allure of the cage may just be too overwhelming to let go.

Press conference footage courtesy of MMA Weekly:

Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson:

Matt Hamill:

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UFC 130: VIDEO: Frank Mir, Roy Nelson Talk Mullets, Vegas At UFC 130 Pre-Fight Press Conference

Everyone loves the heavyweights. And UFC 130's primary heavyweight attraction promises to bring the fireworks, as Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson will duke it out in a marquee title eliminator.

First off, as a mullet enthusiast, I must say that Nelson's mullet here is off-the-charts. Those long flowing locks blast past the likes of Andre Agassi and "The Boz" in the sports mullet hall-o-fame. Congrats to ‘Big Country".

The TUF 10 winner has been campaigning for a shot at a the title since winning the show in late 2009, and a win here would certainly inch him closer to that goal. It's easier said than done though, as Mir, the former two-time UFC heavyweight champ, looks as motivated and focused to return to the top of the division as we've seen him in years. It should be fun.

Press conference footage courtesy of MMA Weekly:

Frank Mir:

Roy Nelson:

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UFC 130: VIDEO: Brian Stann, Jorge Santiago Talk Wanderlei Silva At UFC 130 Pre-Fight Press Conference

While it may not be the most hyped battle on UFC 130: Jackson vs. Hamill, the most intriguing bout on the main card certainly could be Brian Stann vs. Jorge Santiago.

It will be interesting to see how Santiago performs in his first fight inside of the Octagon in five years. The former Senkogu champion has been on a tear since 2007, winning 11 of his last 12, and leaving a trail of brutal knockouts in his wake. While Stann is no slouch, the intrigue in this fight exists in finding out if Santiago if for real or has been living as a big fish in a small pond. If it is the former, UFC fans will quickly come to love the Brazilian.

Interesting to note, during the press conference Stann remarked that Jorge Santiago was not only a tougher fight than Wanderlei Silva -- the middleweight's intended opponent who rejected the bout -- but also that a victory over the Senkogu veteran would be better for Stann's career than one over the ‘Axe Murderer'. While the first portion of that statement may possibly be true -- though Silva certainly remains an incredibly dangerous opponent -- the second claim may fall more on the side of wishful thinking for the former Marine. Name recognition is a big deal in a organization as popular as the UFC. A victory against a legend such as Silva carries much heavier influence to the average fan than one against a relatively unfamiliar name such as a Santiago, who last entered the Octagon in 2006.

Press conference footage courtesy of MMA Weekly:

Brian Stann:

Jorge Santiago:

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Brock Lesnar Illness Update, Expects To Be Back To UFC In 2012

Brock Lesnar's ongoing bout with diverticulitis should take a major turn this week, as the UFC's biggest box-office draw will meet with doctors to determine whether he is a candidate for surgery. Regardless of your opinion on him, it is hard to not sympathize for the plight of the former heavy champion.

After contracting the disease during preparation for his November 2009 title defense against Shane Carwin, the NCAA Division I Wrestling stud was forced to withdraw from the contest, incurring an almost year-long layoff as his battled for his life against the intestinal disease.

The experience seemed to be humbling for the brash champion, and by late 2010 everything was back on course for Lesnar. He immediately  jumped back into the fray, fighting twice in four months, and signed on to be a featured coach of the "The Ultimate Fighter" season 13 against fellow heavyweight Junior dos Santos, with the intention of fighting the Brazilian at the conclusion of the show to determine the number one contender for the belt. 

Yet, the behemoth Minnesotan's plans have been derailed once again, as the diverticulitis he believed to have defeated reared its ugly head, forcing Lesnar to withdraw from the scheduled bout and return to the hospital.

While doing the media rounds to promote his new memoir, "Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival", Brock spoke to The Fight Show's Mauro Ranallo about where head is at, and his prospects for the future. (via FightOpinion):

"I'm very disappointed. This has, not only mentally, but this has been very physically strenuous on me, you know, since my first bout with Diverticulitis in 2009. Having to back away from a fight is not something that I think anybody likes to do, surely me, you know, the first time it happened to me and to fall under the same circumstances, I thought I had this thing beaten and I'm very disappointed but getting past that and understand that, you know, my health is very important and I got another doctor's appointment on Thursday and a consultation where we're going to go over and just try to figure out the best approach to try to handle this and it may be surgery and it may be not. We're reviewing other options here to try to help me but, you know, I want to get back into the Octagon sooner than later."

Rumors have been swirling that the former champion would be forced to retire as a result of his three year on-again-off-again battle with the disease. Later in the interview, Lesnar somberly shut down the notion.

"No, it's not over. I mean, I don't, you know, even talking with the doctors about the possibility of surgery, there's really, uh, it's not a career-ending surgery by any means so I just got to weigh out all my options at this time and see if that is the right thing to do or is there's any other medication that I can be on or any other thing, I don't know how I can change my diet any more than I have but we're looking down all avenues right now and I foresee, you know, in the near future that I'll be able to step back in the Octagon."

On a UFC 130 conference call UFC president Dana White echoed the sentiment. (via MMA Mania):

"I'm optimistic that Brock (Lesnar) will bounce back from this thing. Maybe by the first of the year."

While it's unclear how much of White's statement is actual fact as opposed to wishful thinking, we can all hope the big man's story does not veer into a tragedy. Countless athletes have been derailed from promising careers by various means, but Lesnar's story is uniquely heartbreaking. Let's hope Mr. White is right to suggest a speedy recovery.

More from White on Lesnar's status:

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Jose Aldo Injury Update, Out Of UFC 133; Mendes Scheduled To Fight Yahya

Many were surprised to hear reports that UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo would be pulled out of his title defense against Chad Mendes at UFC 133 because of an injury suffered in training camp Monday afternoon. None more so than the champ himself.

While it is true that Aldo will have to pull out of the scheduled bout against Mendes, reports of training camp injury appear to be unfounded. The young fighter took to Twitter late Monday night to explain the news. (Translation via MMA Mania):

"Let me be clear I'm not hurt again, I'm not hurt. I picked up a suspension (from) the Canadian commission and therefore should only return to training (after) 30 days this month. So once again, I'm not injured."

He further elaborated on the point Tuesday afternoon. (via Sherdog.com):

"I had a problem with my cervical vertebrae in December that was making my arm numb."

"I contacted a doctor and he diagnosed it a nerve entrapment, and recommended for me not to fight and to do physical therapy. I did that and got much better. I had this during the camp for the [Mark] Hominick fight, but with less intensity."

The morning after his first title defense -- a five-round struggle which resulted in a unanimous decision over Hominick on April 30 -- Aldo notified his trainer, Nova Uniao head Andre Pederneiras, of numbness in his arm.

"He said when I arrived in Brazil I would need to see the doctor again. When I was scheduling it, already in Brazil, my manager, Ed Soares, said I was going to Los Angeles and they diagnosed that entrapment again," explained Aldo. "The doctor recommended I go through physical therapy for six weeks before training again, and that's what I'm doing now. That's why I won't fight in August."

So with Aldo out of UFC 133, where does that leave his expected opponent, Chad Mendes?

The UFC announced Tuesday afternoon that the undefeated Team Alpha Male prospect will eschew his shot at waiting for the featherweight title, instead choosing to fight submission ace Rani Yahya on the August card. While Yahya certainly does not present the same fireworks or name brand appeal as Aldo, the match still promises to be a compelling supplement to UFC 133's scheduled main event featuring Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans.

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UFC 130: VIDEO: ‘Rampage’ Jackson Visits ‘The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson’

Between Hollywood and professional fighting, former light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage' Jackson is a busy man. Monday night the charismatic UFC 130 headliner took a break from preparing for Matt Hamill to stop by ‘The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson'.

Take a look:

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B.J. Penn Talk Of Retirement And Randy Couture Beckons The End Of The Old Guard

As the new generation of warriors overtake the old, it is always fascinating to probe the thoughts of veteran fighters watching their lifelong peers march into the setting sun.

Immediately after each of his last two fights, B.J. Penn made remarks indicating that his time in this sport may be coming to a close. Following the ruthless termination to fellow legend Randy Couture's career at the hands of Lyoto Machida, the end has never been as stark of a realization as it is now for the Hawaiian. On this week's ‘Inside MMA', Penn spoke to Ron Kruck about the notion. (Thanks to Zach Arnold of FightOpinion for the transcription via Tim Burke)

RK: "When you look at Randy Couture, BJ... do you, is that something that, when you finally decide to hang it up, that you would like to go out the way that he did? Because a lot of times, in any sport, athletes really don't get to pick, OK, I'm ready to go out and go out on their own terms. Do you think he retired the right way and in a way that you would like to finally retire one day?"

BJ: "You know what? A lot of other fighters out there, they probably would have went and picked a fight that they would have known that they would have won and leave on a high note. But, that's Randy, that's the only way he would have gone out, like that and I probably would kind of think for myself the same. If Randy would have won, he would be fighting for the title. He wouldn't have left, you know... We lost so many times over the years, you know, we all know that's not the first time Randy got knocked but that's probably what it's going to, probably going to take a knockout or a bad beating to make someone like Randy or someone like me or a couple other fighters that I know in the UFC say, OK, you know, I can take it, I'll walk away now.'

RK: "Personally, how long would you like to keep fighting?"

BJ: "You know when I was in my 20s I said I'll fight until 40 and this and that... and I don't know, everything's just a blessing now. As long as I keep winning fighting and fans want to see me fight (and) I'm not hurt, I'll fight as long as I can. I'd love to fight until 40, I don't know if it's a reality but I'd love to."

This is an odd time in MMA. We are constantly reminded that age is a fact of life in the athletic world. Time stops for no man. The loss of a lifelong gift is something that each competitor must deal with individually, but, inevitably, it will come.

Situations like these are always disconcerting for fans. Michael Jordan wheezing his way down the court in a Wizards uniform, Emmitt Smith grinding out two yards a carry for the Cardinals; while forgotten as the decades pass, these moments possess an almost illusory nature as they are witnessed.

Combat sports present the same challenge to the old guard, albeit, a much more brutal version. Often times the physical tools leave swift and suddenly, and no one notices until it is too late. Once this moment happens there is no going back. Fighters can stubbornly press on, but the tragic truth is that with ensuing battle, the plot edges farther and farther into the theater of the absurd.

Chuck Liddell was on the top of the MMA world after his destruction of Tito Ortiz in 2006. The thought of his time coming to end up was blasphemous in many fans eyes. Five months and a minute thirty-six seconds later the castle had crumbled. Down on the canvas after a brutal right hook from ‘Rampage' Jackson, Liddell's illustrious career had come to a close.

Only, it hadn't. 

For three years the public watched as a legend of the sport tried to pick up the pieces again and again only to be brutally reminded of the stark truth. Ferocious knockout after ferocious knockout came and went, and with each passing heartbreak, the wonderment and spectacle transformed into legitimate concern.

And so it usually goes with the world of MMA. Each man's time will come, no matter how invincible they may have once been.

It is something we are sure to see painfully repeated over these last few waning years. Couture, Liddell, Penn, Fedor, Cro Cop, Matt Hughes; the generation of fighters that I grew up with are making their slow exit from this violent world, taking with them the origins of myth. MMA is a young sport, and these are it Chamberlain's, Russell's, Namath's, and Unitas'.

Witnessing the absolute extinction of an era is a unsettling experience for one as young as myself. Yet, I cannot help but think that these times will fade from my memories, leaving only the image of the proud champions reliving their greatest glories. And really, that is the way it should be. 

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State Senate Votes To Legalize Mixed Martial Arts In New York

Potentially ground-breaking news hit the MMA landscape Monday, as Bill S. 1707A was passed in the New York State Senate by a vote of 42-18. The proposed bill would essentially legalize the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in the state of New York.

In the old days, between the nut-punched practitioners of Joe Son Do to a certain Arizona state senator alluding to the sport as nothing but glorified "human cockfighting", it wasn't shocking to think that several major U.S. states could have outlawed such activities. However, in today's world, where the now strictly-sanctioned UFC has become one of the most lucrative cash-cows in all of sports, it seems bizarre to think that certain states -- especially one as culturally relevant as New York -- still abide by such archaic notions.

While this isn't the first time that this sort of movement has gone through the Senate -- comparable bills have passed twice before, only to bottom-out before reaching ratification -- it certainly marks a giant step in the right direction, not only for the sport of MMA, but also the stigma that is associated with it.  

The UFC has long waited for New York to catch up with the times, pledging that two large-scale events will be held in the empire state within the first year of the sport's legalization.

The bill must now pass through the State Assembly via the Ways and Means Committee. Needless to say, the entire MMA world will be watching with great interest.

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UFC 130: Jackson vs. Hamill

Despite being the first UFC event since February without a championship fight, UFC 130 still features several exciting, high-quality matchups with title implications. Headlining the night will be a bout between fan-favorite, former light-heavyweight champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and the streaking Matt Hamill.

Also on the card, former heavyweight champ Frank Mir will face off against season 10 TUF winner Roy "Big Country" Nelson, welterweight Thiago Alves will look to end Rick Story's five-fight win streak, former Senkogu middleweight champ Jorge Santiago will make his UFC debut against Brian Stann, and high-powered heavyweight Travis Browne clashes with the always entertaining Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve.

UFC 130: Jackson vs. Hamill will be held May 28, at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Main card:

Light Heavyweight bout: #4 LHW Quinton Jackson vs. #17 LHW Matt Hamill

Heavyweight bout: #8 HW Frank Mir vs. #12 HW Roy Nelson

Welterweight bout: #4 WW Thiago Alves vs. #23 WW Rick Story

Heavyweight bout: #21 HW Stefan Struve vs. #23 HW Travis Browne

Middleweight bout: #14 MW Brian Stann vs. #8 MW Jorge Santiago

Preliminary card (to be broadcast live on SPIKE):

Bantamweight bout: #5 BW Miguel Torres vs. #9 BW Demetrious Johnson

Middleweight bout: Kendall Grove vs. Tim Boetsch

Preliminary card (to be streamed on Facebook):

Lightweight bout: #25 LW Gleison Tibau vs. Rafaello Oliveira

Bantamweight bout: #14 BW Michael McDonald vs. Chris Cariaso

Bantamweight bout: #15 BW Renan Barão vs. Cole Escovedo

All rankings via USA Today/SB Nation