Matt Hamill, the UFC fighter famous for defeating Jon Jones, has started 2025 with an incredible announcement. After 41 years of silence, the 48-year-old retired MMA star shared on Instagram that he can now hear, thanks to a life-changing hearing aid.
Born deaf, Hamill defied expectations to become an MMA legend. He made his name with major wins over fighters like Tito Ortiz, Mark Munoz, and Keith Jardine, and most notably, he’s the only person to defeat Jon Jones in the UFC after Jones was disqualified for an illegal elbow.
Matt Hamill Begins a New Chapter with Life Changing Hearing Aid
Hamill retired from MMA in 2018, but this recent milestone shows that his journey is far from over. In his Instagram post, Hamill expressed his joy at finally being able to hear the world around him, an emotional moment after decades of silence.
“I just got the most powerful digital hearing aids ever made,” Hamill wrote on Instagram. “For the first time in 41 years, I can finally hear my kids’ voices, 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!”
Although some fans have speculated about a potential return to the sport, Hamill is currently relishing his time with family, now able to fully experience their voices and the sounds of life. This new chapter is one of personal triumph and transformation, demonstrating that the former UFC star has much more to look forward to.
Interestingly, before Jon Jones’ most recent bout, Hamill even offered his former rival a chance at a rematch, sending a wild proposal to UFC President Dana White. While the idea of a rematch didn’t go anywhere, it shows that Hamill still has some fight left in him. But for now, he’s enjoying the gift of hearing and embracing the next phase of his life.
