Last time Maged Hammo entered the octagon, he was matching up against a top-tier bantamweight, Jesse Arnett, in Canada on short notice.
Now, roughly eighteen months later, Hammo (8-5-1) gets back inside the cage at Rumble in the Cage 59 to face Fred Stonehouse (3-1) in a featherweight matchup, hoping to demonstrate the growth he's gained after a tough loss to Arnett.
At 28, Hammo described battling one of Canada's elite fighters as an invaluable lesson, and he's eager to display every new weapon he's developed.
"Facing someone of that caliber helps you understand where you stand against the best," Hammo told us in an interview.
"It was a valuable lesson from that fight, and it pushed me to evolve. And I did."
Fighting in his hometown of Lethbridge, Alberta, Hammo gets to showcase everything he's honed since March 2017 in front of family and friends.
It's been nearly two years since Hammo last competed at home, and he says he's thrilled to experience the energy of a hometown crowd once again.
"Fighting in your own city is always special—the fans, the support, the atmosphere—it's an incredible feeling," Hammo said.
"It gives you a real surge of energy inside the cage. Being home really does make a difference."
Like many Rumble in the Cage cards, a large number of competitors hail from Canadian Martial Arts Centre, Hammo included.
With so many teammates also in fight camp, Hammo noted that the sparring is incredibly tough and fuels an intense drive to improve.
"Everyone's pushing past their comfort zone, which pushes you to do the same," Hammo explained.
"They keep challenging each other right up until fight night, then everyone's hungry for victory."
While Hammo is coming off what he considers one of his finest training camps, 29-year-old Stonehouse finds himself in the exact same position.
Besides training at his own gym, Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts, Stonehouse revealed he also headed to Toronto to train alongside athletes at Para Bellum MMA and Grant's MMA.
"I've been able to focus on my own training, then visit other experienced fighters who provide fresh perspectives and new training methods," Stonehouse shared in an interview.
"I'd say this is the best shape I've felt heading into a fight."
Throughout his relatively early career, Stonehouse has always gravitated toward striking while keeping his submission game sharp for opportunities.
Given that Hammo shares a similar profile, Stonehouse believes he's equipped regardless of where the fight goes—and he feels confident he holds the edge in every department.
"I love striking, and I'll aim to establish my rhythm early in the first round and break it down from there," Stonehouse said.
"But I need to be ready for anything, and I believe I'll have the advantage in most areas."
To date, all three of Stonehouse's professional wins have come by stoppage, along with three of his four amateur victories. Hammo also has a track record of finishes, with every one of his eight wins coming before the judges' scorecards.
Stonehouse sees both him and Hammo as fighters who thrive on creating exciting performances.
"We're both finishers who always strive to put on the best show we can," Stonehouse said.
"If it wraps up in round one, I won't be disappointed. Round two? Even better. Whether it ends by finish or decision, I'm prepared to do whatever it takes."
Hammo's Shoutouts
"I want to recognize my sponsors Peppermint Hippo, Big Al's Music and Games, and Ginger Viking Beard Supply."
Stonehouse's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank Nick Castiglia, Hammer, Pat Cooligan, the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts, Para Bellum, and Grant's MMA."
