Rampage-Hamill, Alves-Story Greenlit for UFC 130

Former light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will answer the bell against Matt Hamill in the UFC 130 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3” co-main event on May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Hamill replaces Thiago Silva, who was pulled from the lineup over lingering questions surrounding a postfight drug test in January.

Jackson (Pictured) last appeared at UFC 123 in November, when he took a controversial split decision from Lyoto Machida at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich. One of the sport’s most colorful characters, the 32-year-old Memphis, Tenn., native has delivered 21 of his 31 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. Wins over Brazilian icon Wanderlei Silva, former two-division Pride Fighting Championships titleholder Dan Henderson, UFC hall of famer Chuck Liddell (twice), 2000 Olympic silver medalist Matt Lindland and two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships winner Ricardo Arona anchor Jackson’s stellar resume. He holds a 6-2 mark inside the Octagon.

A semifinalist on Season 3 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, Hamill will carry a five-fight winning streak into the most significant match of his career. The 34-year-old Loveland, Ohio, native has not competed since he outpointed former mentor and one-time light heavyweight king Tito Ortiz at UFC 121 in October. Hamill has been finished only once -- by former middleweight champion Rich Franklin -- in 12 professional appearances. He was a three-time Div. III national wrestling champion at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, American Top Team ace Thiago Alves will square off with the surging Rick Story in a key showdown at 170 pounds.

Alves, a former welterweight title contender, put the brakes on a two-fight losing streak with a sterling performance against John Howard at UFC 124 in December, as he outclassed “Doomsday” en route to a clear-cut unanimous decision at the Bell Centre in Montreal. One of the welterweight division’s premier strikers, the 27-year-old Brazilian has delivered more than half (11) of his 18 career victories by knockout or technical knockout. Alves owns notable wins over American Kickboxing Academy standout Josh Koscheck, UFC hall of famer Matt Hughes and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 4 finalist Chris Lytle. He holds a 10-4 mark inside the Octagon.

Spawned by the Brave Legion camp, Story will enter the cage on a five-fight winning streak. The 26-year-old Tacoma, Wash., native last competed at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale in December, when he won a unanimous decision against the previously unbeaten Johny Hendricks at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Victories over the highly regarded Jake Ellenberger, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Dustin Hazelett and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 9 semifinalist Nick Osipczak anchor Story’s resume. In 15 professional MMA appearances, he has never been finished.

Another rematch between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and unbeaten challenger Gray Maynard will headline UFC 130, which will air live on pay-per-view. In addition, the show will feature a pair of high-profile heavyweight bouts: Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson and Stefan Struve vs. Travis Browne.

UFC 130 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3”
Saturday, May 28
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas

UFC Lightweight Championship
Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

Quinton Jackson vs. Matt Hamill
Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson
Stefan Struve vs. Travis Browne
Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story
* Jorge Santiago vs. Brian Stann
* Miguel Torres vs. Brad Pickett

* Not Official

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