Martin Kampmann learned a valuable, albeit unsolicited lesson from Nate Marquardt at UFC 88 last September at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
“The Great” size and strength advantage of his opponent proved to be too much to deal with for the noticeably smaller Kampmann, who eventually succumbed to a first round TKO loss.
The move down to his ideal weight class at the welterweight limit of 170 pounds was the logical step — and he certainly hasn’t disappointed since making the transition.
At UFC 93 he was relegated to a preliminary card match up against the Brazilian Alexandre Barros, whom he promptly TKO’d in the second round with relative ease.
Next up was the first headlining fight of his career at UFC Fight Night 18 back on April 1 against another young superstar in the making, former WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit.
It turned out to be one of the best fights of the year up to that point with Kampmann recording the split decision victory and showing off his wide array of boxing, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu skills.
The UFC management took notice and set up a September 19 fight at UFC 103 with American Kickboxing Academy product Mike “Quick” Swick, who is also undefeated at welterweight (4–0).
The winner was to be the lucky recipient of a title shot against Georges St. Pierre, likely to take place sometime in early 2010, which easily made that fight the most important of Kampmann’s career.
The problem, however, was that just days ago Swick sustained an injury during training and was forced to withdraw from the matchup.
He was instantly replaced by another dangerous striker in UFC newcomer Paul “Semtex” Daley.
It is now unclear whether or not Kampmann will still earn that title shot with a victory, however, he would be best served to assume that is still the case and let the chips fall where they may.
In the meantime, “The Hitman” took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss the move to welterweight, swapping Swick for Daley, GSP, entrance music and potential look-a-likes.
Check it out:
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You had a tough loss to Nate Marquardt down in Atlanta at UFC 88 and you made the decision to drop from middleweight to welterweight. Was that directly related to the fight or had you debated doing it prior to that point?
Martin Kampmann: I had been debating that for a long time before. I wanted to go down to 170 for a long time. I walk around at pretty much the same weight. I decided with my manager we would keep going at 185 because I had been doing good so far. Then whether it’s a loss or a victory we’ll take it from there.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Is the cut to 170 easy for you now?
Martin Kampmann: Very easy.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You’re now 2–0 at 170 pounds. How is the 170-pound Martin Kampmann different from the 185-pound version? Have you noticed a difference?
Martin Kampmann: It’s pretty much the same guy. A little lighter. Not much.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You’re coming off a big victory over Carlos Condit back on April 1 at the UFC Fight Night event. What was it like to be the headlining fight? What was that whole experience like for you?
Martin Kampmann: It was great. It was a big honor to be the main event. Hopefully some other time I’ll be the main event again.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Did you feel added pressure to really put on a great show because you were the headlining fight?
Martin Kampmann: I don’t know. Once you get in there and get punched in the head then you’re not thinking about the pressure anymore. I was getting a lot more attention before the fight, of course, interviews and stuff like that. The pressure wasn’t so bad. We did a good show. I think we did a real great fight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Last Friday (Sept. 4) it was announced Paul Daley would replace Mike Swick as your next opponent for UFC 103 due to Swick’s injury he had sustained a few days earlier in training. Did you find out at the end of last week like everyone else or had you known it was a possibility for a few days?
Martin Kampmann: I think I knew either Thursday night or Friday morning so it was last minute for me too.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Your initial reaction to the news that Swick was out of the fight for sure?
Martin Kampmann: I was very disappointed. I have been training hard to fight Swick and I was looking forward to it so of course I was disappointed.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you approach Daley the same way as Swick since they both have very good, aggressive striking? Will it be a seamless transition on short notice?
Martin Kampmann: They are different guys but there are still similarities. They both like the stand-up game. They have different body types but my training camp was good. There’s not much I need to change up. I think I’ll be well prepared still.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Daley made a statement about you in a recent interview with Thisisnottingham.co.uk saying, “His flaws are very exploitable for someone with my speed and power. I can KO him with one punch or kick.” Would you care to respond?
Martin Kampmann: The guy can crack, you know. I’ve been hit by some heavy-ass handed people before. If he gives me a good shot I can take it.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you have an official prediction for the fight?
Martin Kampmann: Whatever it is (I don’t care). As long as I win I’m happy.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you think it is still possible to get a title shot with a convincing victory?
Martin Kampmann: It’s really up to the UFC. I don’t know. I can’t worry about that. I’m just focused on Daley right now.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Say all goes well at UFC 103 for you but the UFC decides not to give you GSP next, would you be open to fighting Swick in a couple months if he waits for you?
Martin Kampmann: Yeah sure. I think that could make sense. First I’m going to do this fight and then take a week off on vacation. Then I’ll come back and train and see how I feel and see what makes sense.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): If Swick decides to take a fight pretty quick against someone else is there another name out there that would make sense for you to face like a Jon Fitch or a Matt Hughes?
Martin Kampmann: I don’t know. Call me after the fight and then we’ll talk.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Georges St. Pierre is at pinnacle of your division and has been very dominant in your weight class for a while now. Is this guy invincible?
Martin Kampmann: He’s been looking very, very good. He’s pretty close to invincible but anyone can be beaten on any given night and Matt Serra already showed that.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Who are a few guys you love to watch fight or look up to out there that may or may not be in the UFC?
Martin Kampmann: I enjoy watching GSP a lot. He’s a great fighter and he’s fun to watch. Thiago (Alves) he just fought is a guy I like watching too. Of course, Anderson Silva. I also like watching guys I know and guys I train with like Gray Maynard and Tyson (Griffin). I’m going to look forward to watching those guys fight. It’s always more fun to watch people that you train with fight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What is your routine the night before a big fight? What do you do? Go to sleep real early? Listen to music? Watch the entire Rocky series?
Martin Kampmann: No Rocky series. I’m just chilling out. Kicking back and relaxing and maybe going for a little light training the night before. I’ll work a little bit on what I’m going to do in the fight and break a light sweat. Then I’ll go chill in the room and get a good night’s sleep and be ready for the day after.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you know what your entrance music is going to be for UFC 103?
Martin Kampmann: I think it’s going to be the same I used last time, Three 6 Mafia’s “It’s a Fight.” I’m still looking for something good. I haven’t found the perfect entrance song. That’s one Ron Fisher gave me at Xtreme Couture. He’s usually the guy with the music. He’s a DJ. He brings his IPod to the gym. I told him to find me an entrance song and he gave me that one.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Staying with the music thread – has anyone ever told you that you look like Billy Corgan, the lead singer of The Smashing Pumpkins?
Martin Kampmann: I don’t look like that guy, come on.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): (laughs) Maybe if he lost 30 or 40 pounds.
Martin Kampmann: (laughs) 30 or 40 pounds? And if I dyed my hair black.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Well I guess I tried. That’s all I had for you Martin. Is there anything you would like to pass along to your fans out there before we go or any sponsors you want to thank?
Martin Kampmann: Thank you to Hitman Fight Gear for hooking me up with some cool clothing. Thanks to Xtreme Couture and all the fans supporting me and MMA Agents.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Thanks again and best of luck to you at UFC 103.
Martin Kampmann: Thanks Derek. I appreciate it.
Derek Bolender is a contributor to MMAmania.com and InsideFights.com. He is also syndicated to CBSSports.com and CNNSI.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DerekMMAwriter and Facebook.com/Derek.Bolender.
