This LOVELAND MAGAZINE VIDEO is Loveland Magazine Sports Writer, Ricky Mulvey's recent interview with Matt “The Hammer” Hamill at the Cleveland International Film Festival. The occasion was the Ohio premier of “Hamill” the full length movie inspired by the life of deaf UFC fighter, Loveland, Ohio native, and Loveland High School graduate, Matt Hamil.
“Hamill” is winning awards at film festivals around the country, and just last weekend was the the Audience Award Winner Feature for a U.S. film - at the famed, Newport Beach Film Festival
Hamill, who grew up in Loveland, Ohio, won three NCAA Division III national wrestling championships as a student at Rochester Institute of Technology. Now he's a professional fighter in the UFC — Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Hamill is being portrayed by deaf actor Russell Harvard in the movie.
Transcript by Ricky Mulvey
Ricky Mulvey- Before I talk about “Hamill the Movie,” I’d like to talk a little bit about your upcoming fight against Quentin “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 130. What do you perceive as his flaws and how do you intend to beat him?
Matt Hamill- Well I’m going to have to go into the cage and just let it flow. But he has a heavy hand and a great knockout. A lot of fighters do not want to fight him. So I got to step in and fight him even though I am not in the top ten. I’m number seventeen in the world (as a light-heavy weight) and he is number three in the world (as a light-heavyweight.) So I’ll just have to let it flow and see what happens, whether to strike him or take him down.
R.M.- Providing that you win, who would you like to face next, and do you see the possibility of a rematch against Michael Bisping? (Editors Note- Michael Bisping was on The Ultimate Fighter with Matt and the two fought each other in England on September 8th 2007. Michael won a very controversial decision victory, and according to www.bleacherreport.com it is regarded as the tenth greatest rivalry in the UFC.)
M.H.- Oh, oh ok, hold on. Let’s go back a little bit. Mike Bisping is 185 (pounds) and I’m 205. Unfortunately I can’t get down to 185. He was supposed to fight me. “I’m going to have a rematch with Bisping!” But he said “nuh-uh” and went down to 185 and he wants to stay at 185.
What is going to happen is I will face the winner of Jon Jones and Rashad Evans next.
R.M.- Tell me a little bit about your training right now and how did Loveland High School especially - prepared you for a career in the UFC.
M.H.- Well I don’t expect anyone from Loveland to join the UFC - but, I have awesome friends and awesome family in Loveland. They are always supporting me, so whenever I fight - the Loveland community is always there for me. That is really special for me.
R.M. - Going to the movie now. Did you find any inaccuracies in the movie that you would like to straighten out?
M.H.- Well, I mean you got to have a Hollywood (aspect) and it has to be entertaining. They made some things more funny. Making things more sad, and some things more embass(ing.) If it was one-hundred-percent true, it could be a bit of a boring movie. I would say that the movie was 70% (accurate.)
When it comes to wrestling, I pin everybody (laughs). (Editor’s note- He didn’t pin everyone in the movie)
R.M.- What was your initial reaction when they said they were going to make a movie about your life?
M.H.- Well, it was after the UFC reality show and they said, “Hamill, I want to make movie about your life.” And I was like. sure - why not. Go for it. And it all started from there.
R.M.- Do you know if there is a possibility of another UFC fight coming to the Cincinnati area?
M.H.- All I can think of is Rich Franklin, but he is not from Loveland. There is another one whose name is Seth but he is an amateur fighter. I am probably the only one that is a professional fighter for the Loveland community. I hope there are other people from Loveland that want to participate in the UFC.
R.M. – What are you hoping that the Loveland community will get out of this film?
M.H.- There is a lot of things. We are hoping this will make MMA (mixed martial arts) bigger in the Loveland community. (But it’s) whatever they want, if they are happy then I am happy.
R.M.- What did you learn about filmmaking in this whole process - if you had to name one thing?
M.H. – What I learned the most from is my grandfather. He is the one taught me everything about this life, (like) never to give up, and to follow my dreams and not to give up. The most important thing for the main character (me) is my grandfather.
R.M. – What would you say is the best story you have from Loveland High School?
M.H.- I would have to say that I would love to re-do the prom in Loveland (laughs.) But the best thing was having the awesome friends and the awesome programs. I miss my old friends - so I would like to have a reunion.
R.M.- What would say people don’t know about you?
M.H.- Well if they don’t know it they are going to have to check out who I am. (laughs) Sometimes I am very quiet, I'm always like under the radar. I’m not very ego worrysome, I just walk out and be very friendly.
R.M. – Did you ever think about acting in this movie - or outside of this movie - kinda going the Rich Franklin route?
M.H.- Well, you should know that I fight for a living - so there is no time for me to act in some movie. But down the road if I retire from fighting, then sure I can do an action movie. I hope I can be a Tom Cruise. (Laughs) Just kidding.
R.M. – Tell me a little about what it’s like when you have 20,000 people just going absolutely nuts for you like at UFC 68 when you fought Rex Holman.
M.H. – I have never lost a fight in my home state. Ohio is my turf so nobody is going to mess with my background. At UFC 68 a lot of the Loveland community came out and supported me. There was another one (in Ohio) UFC 97, where I knocked out Marc Munoz with a high kick.
R.M.- Is there anything else you want to say?
M.H. – I’d like to tell the Loveland community not to miss my fight May 28th, and I’m one fight away from the title. WOOOOO.
For Background read these other Loveland Magazine Stories about the movie Hamill:
Review: Hamill the Movie
Matt Hamill Subject of Movie
Hamill the Movie's Photos - Movie Stills
“Hamill” An Exclusive Interview with Director Oren Kaplan
A Conversation with “Hamill” Director Oren Kaplan
"Hamill" - My Experience at The Cleveland International Film Festival
Exclusive Interview with Screenwriter and Actor, Eben Kostbar
An Interview With Actor Russell Harvard: Plays Loveland's Matt Hamill
Mulvey Interviews "Hamill" Writer and Producer Eben Kostbar
Recent Comments