From the Octagon to the Big Screen: World Premiere of "The Hammer"
By: Chelsea Rarrick
Updated: October 26, 2011
It was a special night for Retired UFC Fighter, Matt Hamill and his fans.
The premiere of The Ultimate Fighter's feature film "The Hammer" was at Uptown Theater in Utica Wednesday evening.
From the octagon to the big screen, The Uptown Theater was a full house with fans waiting to see Matt Hamill and his new movie.
Mr. Hamill says he was thrilled to see all the support, and his fans say he is quite the inspiration.
Hamill is a retired deaf UFC Fighter who lives in Utica.
It was the world premiere of his film, "The Hammer," which is based on his life and the struggles he overcame.
Hamill's manager, Duff Holmes says people will be expecting a sports movie, but the message goes much deeper than that.
"It's really more of a human nature movie. It's about somebody who struggled in his early life, didn't let those struggles keep him down, and ended up finding similar struggles when he thought he wouldn't.
Matt hopes his movie will send a positive message to everyone who sees it.
He says he knows that life isn't always easy.
"Just walk the golden path. Never give up, and follow your dreams," said Hamill.
And one fan knows first hand just how inspiring Matt is.
"Matt Hamill is my friend and neighbor, and I'm just excited because he accomplished a lot of things. He's a funny guy and he's awesome," said Logan Steates.
With all the recognition Hamill has received, you may ask, has this changed him at all?
Duff Holmes says absolutely not.
"He's the same guy he is today as he was when I met him six years ago, as he was when he was probably 10 years old. That's the beautiful thing about Matt.
Holmes says that everyone should know that they can do whatever they put their minds to, regardless of any sort of handicap, which is Matt's ultimate message.
"I give them a hope, I give them a dream," said Hamill.
The premiere of The Ultimate Fighter's feature film "The Hammer" was at Uptown Theater in Utica Wednesday evening.
From the octagon to the big screen, The Uptown Theater was a full house with fans waiting to see Matt Hamill and his new movie.
Mr. Hamill says he was thrilled to see all the support, and his fans say he is quite the inspiration.
Hamill is a retired deaf UFC Fighter who lives in Utica.
It was the world premiere of his film, "The Hammer," which is based on his life and the struggles he overcame.
Hamill's manager, Duff Holmes says people will be expecting a sports movie, but the message goes much deeper than that.
"It's really more of a human nature movie. It's about somebody who struggled in his early life, didn't let those struggles keep him down, and ended up finding similar struggles when he thought he wouldn't.
Matt hopes his movie will send a positive message to everyone who sees it.
He says he knows that life isn't always easy.
"Just walk the golden path. Never give up, and follow your dreams," said Hamill.
And one fan knows first hand just how inspiring Matt is.
"Matt Hamill is my friend and neighbor, and I'm just excited because he accomplished a lot of things. He's a funny guy and he's awesome," said Logan Steates.
With all the recognition Hamill has received, you may ask, has this changed him at all?
Duff Holmes says absolutely not.
"He's the same guy he is today as he was when I met him six years ago, as he was when he was probably 10 years old. That's the beautiful thing about Matt.
Holmes says that everyone should know that they can do whatever they put their minds to, regardless of any sort of handicap, which is Matt's ultimate message.
"I give them a hope, I give them a dream," said Hamill.
