'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A former MMA fighter, who has been deaf since birth, recently gave a huge update on his lifelong condition. Elsewhere, Israel Adesanya shared a tribute for a late athlete.
Here are your today's top combat sports updates.
Matt Hamill pens an overwhelming note on lifelong deafness
Former UFC fighter Matt Hamill, who has been deaf since birth, experienced hearing properly for the first time in his life. He penned an emotional message on social media, crediting cutting-edge technology for making it possible:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"I just got the most powerful digital hearing aids ever made. For the first time in 41 years, I can finally hear my kids’ voices, [and] the sounds of people walking and laughing. I finally heard my mom’s voice and she cried. I’m looking forward to hearing my brother Pat’s voice too. I only hope he doesn’t have a voice like a foghorn. This is awesome although I know it will take time to adapt to all of this. Happy New Year!"
Trending
Take a look at Matt Hamill's post below:
'The Hammer' is the only fighter to have a win over Jon Jones in MMA record books, although the victory came via disqualification as 'Bones' hit him with a then-illegal 12-6 elbow.
Israel Adesanya mourns late Kiwi MMA fighter
Israel Adesanya paid homage to late MMA fighter Hakaraia Wilson, who passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Gisborne, New Zealand. 'The Last Stylebender' shared a tribute made in Wilson's memory with the following quote on his Instagram Story:
"You'll be missed my brother"
Full name Te Hakaraia o Te Rangi Wilson, the 26-year-old was in the coastal city to attend the Rhythm n Vines festival during New Year's time. Local authorities have dismissed any possibility of foul play and declared that the death is not suspicious.
Wilson last competed in October at the Canggu Fight Night in Bali where fought Mark Alcoba and defeated him by TKO. According to an article by Te Ao Maori News, which first reported the death, Wilson was signed under Bellator MMA.
Paige VanZant signs new MMA deal
Paige VanZant will make a return to MMA under the banner of the Global Fight League, GFL in short. The brand-new promotion has been flaunting a huge 300-strong roster full of former UFC fighters, including Tyron Woodley and Luke Rockhold.
VanZant said on her A KickA*s Love Story podcast which she hosts with her husband Austin Vanderford that GFL is offering rare perks and benefits like healthcare and retirement compensation:
"The way they’re doing it, they’re legit paying their athletes. Everybody I’ve heard [who has] negotiated their contract so far is extremely excited and happy. I also saw that, which I don’t know the logistics behind the scenes, but they’re doing like a pension fund for the fighters, and I think health insurance."
No further information on the details of her or any other fighter's contract with the GFL is currently available. However, co-founder Darren Owen has already revealed several lucrative incentives such as 50-50 revenue share, insurance, training support, and post-retirement benefits.
