Martin “Hitman” Kampmann’s record in the UFC is a solid (3-0) with wins over Crafton Wallace, Thales Leites and Drew McFedries.
His winning performances in the middleweight division earned him a shot against Rich Franklin back at UFC 72: “Victory” in June 2007. The fight was supposed to determine the number one contender to face UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva.
Kampmann, however, was forced to withdraw from the fight after tearing and messing up pretty much every cruciate ligament in his left knee while training for “ace.”
“Hitman” hasn’t seen the inside of the Octagon since that time.
He had surgery to repair that damage and the Denmark native then moved to Las Vegas to train with Xtreme Couture to get his career back on the rails.
Kampmann last competed against Drew McFedries at UFC 68: “The Uprising” in March 2007. And if anyone remembers that fight, they remember that the 26-year-old Dane has a chin of granite, coupled with the ability to persevere and finish a tough fight.
June 7 in London, England, will mark the return of Kampmann at UFC 85: “Bedlam,” with a big test against the venerable veteran, Jorge Rivera. “El Conquistador” is coming off a big knockout win over Kendall Grove and is looking to cement his future with the organization.
I caught up with Martin and he took some time out of training to briefly chat with MMAMania.com. Here’s our discussion:
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Thanks for taking the time out of your training to speak to us here at MMAMania.com, Martin. June 7th is just around the corner and it marks your return to the Octagon in more than a year, how are you feeling?
Martin Kampmann: I feel great, I’m training hard and getting in shape so I can kick Jorge’s butt.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): You sustained a pretty bad knee injury before your scheduled bout with Rich Franklin at UFC 72. How has it healed up … is it back to 100 percent at this time?
Martin Kampmann: It’s much better. It took a while and it’s been tough sitting out for so long but it feels great to be back training hard.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Obviously before the injury you were ripping up the middleweight division with an undefeated record (UFC) against top guys and you were a legitimate contender. Now you’re back with a tough fight against a seasoned veteran in Jorge Rivera. He’s a tough striker and has a ton of experience, what are your thoughts on this fight?
Martin Kampmann: Jorge is definitely a tough guy. I think he’s been kind of inconsistent in the UFC. Sometimes he looks great and other times not so great. I’m preparing for the worst though. I think its’ gonna be a great fight, we’ll both be going for the finish. Don’t blink.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): The last time we saw you in the Octagon was against Drew McFedries at UFC 68. It was a great fight and that arm triangle was an impressive finish. But my question is, how hard does Drew really hit? I remember the fight very well and he was landing some bombs, my hat goes off to you and your chin.
Martin Kampmann: Thanks, he throws hard for sure. He had me rocked for a second. That’s when I decided to go for plan B.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Plan B seemed like a good call. How confident are you right now?
Martin Kampmann: I’m very confident in my ability. I’m going into this fight to win.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Are you worried at all about shaking off some “ring rust?”
Martin Kampmann: I spar hard at Xtreme Couture gym everyday. I have tough sparring partners and I’ll be ready.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Having to sit out for so long must have been tough. What were you up to over that period of time?
Martin Kampmann: Just chilling back home. Rehabbing my knee and looking forward to getting back into training.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): In your down time did you keep track of the UFC or more importantly the middleweight division?
Martin Kampmann: Yes, for sure. Even though I’m a fighter and an athlete, I’m also a fan. I don’t miss a UFC event. Every time I watch it I wanna fight, that kinda sucks when you are sitting out and can’t even train.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Without looking past a tough fight that you have at UFC 85, where do you see yourself in the mix of the 185-pound division?
Martin Kampmann: I think people have kind of forgotten me during my lay off. So I just want to build myself back up and win all my fights.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): There may be a few newer fans since then, but I highly doubt anyone was able to forget you. Since your absence, Anderson Silva has been dominating the division, how do you feel you match up with him?
Martin Kampmann: He’s the man right now. He’s badass. That’s obviously a tough fight, but I believe anybody can be beat.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): You are at Xtreme in Las Vegas full time now. What is it like training with a ton of top UFC talent? Has it taken your game to another level?
Martin Kampmann: Yeah, it’s great training here! We have a lot of top guys and it’s definitely helped me improve my game. I learn new stuff all the time.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Working with the master of game plans in Randy Couture is always of great benefit, has he coached you to a specific game plan for Rivera?
Martin Kampmann: It’s always a pleasure training with Randy. He’s a great coach and training partner as well. I’ll have something ready for Jorge.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Is there anyone you’d like to thank up to this point?
Martin Kampmann: Thanks to all the guys who have helped me get my knee back in shape. Surgeons back home, doctors like Randy Yee and my physiotherapist, Sean Early. Thanks to all my training partners and everybody at the gym.
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Best of luck with the rest of your training camp and we wish you the all the best in your return to the Octagon.
Martin Kampmann: Thanks a lot!
33 Comments »
off topic, hey john as far as the vicodin, you probably got 5/500. chew 4 and relax bro. I got a bad back and take them regularly. I got to be careful because I’m an alcoholic (sober 2 1/2 years), but occasionally take 4 or 5 at once for a “buzz”. It’s different then your used too (weed), but it’s relaxing. Hope this helps your hand! How’d you break your fingers, basketball?
Yeah basketball! Not from the ball, I was trying to dunk and some big dude blocked it from behind and my fingers got caught in between the rim and his hand and I broke 3 of them all the way down to my knuckles… Shit is painfull, but morew then anything its annoying. Lucky its not my dominant hand. Its funny what 3 stupid fingers can ruin…No Basketball, no wieghts, typing is a bitch..I am like the 1 armed bandit!
Yo, can anyone remember the name of that fighter who was like 12 all time at drexel Wrestling? I want to ask around school about him.
I would like to see his pic, because at school there is like a mural painted of some of the best wrestlers, and I am curious to see if he is on it.
This is not the place to peddle drugs. I don’t care if you are just giving tips. Abusing drugs is the wrong way to go about things in this game.
John, no disrespect intended as I enjoy your posts. But how do you type so f ing much with 3 broken fingers??????????
hey mania, what did you guys do when all those “changes” were going on? I don’t really notice anything (except some of my news and links still don’t get posted). lol. just kidding, I love the sight!
Cro Cop vs. Jerome Le Banner has been moved to July 20!
July just gets better and better.
If Kampman comes in this healthy, he’ll win.
I dont think Rivera can beat McFedries, and Kampman subbed him. but hey, I didnt think Cote would beat McFedries either.
Although Kampan beat my boy THales, I am a big fan…before the middleweight division got better, he was the next big thing, its a shame he got hurt when he did, because now the division is much more crowded…
He is right about Jorge being inconsistent in the UFC, Jorge has to realize that this is his last shot, getting up there in age, we have to expect the tough Jorge to show up to fight.
Hopefully Martin gets back on track because he is a great talent.
Question: Where did Kampman come from before making it to the UFC.
He is from Denmark. He has a big kickboxing background. I think he originally was in the same camp as Ernesto.
cote has a jaw ….and a rock head..thats why he beat mcfedries…No one sleep on drew though…that guy will make his way back up…he is HUGE for 185.
Jorge Rivera i think is going to win this fight.
Do you really think he’s huge for 185? After watching the McFedries fight I thought he was actually a little small. Anyway, hope wins this one and gets back on track
Rob sorry about that, didn’t see you were talkin about drew
I hope Kampman can turn into a legit contender. Hope he doesn’t go the way of David Terrell, tons of talent but can’t stay healthy.
Kampmann is awesome, I wish him the best in his return and am glad to hear he is back to training 100% he was one of more promising middleweights before that injury.
i like kampann alot. he adds alot to the mw division and will beat rivera.
kampman can hang with all top 185. lets see the winner of leban bisping fight martin for the title. if not them then who other than yushin
Nice write up. It’s always good to hear from fighters who are also fans of the sport and watch all the UFC fights. It boggles my mind when I hear from fighters who don’t watch the sport. What’s that about, anyhow? That’s like a film director who’s never seen a movie.
I agree Adam, I really don’t understand how these guys don’t watch the fights. I remember speaking with KOS awhile back before his ‘McLovin’ fight and he said that he doesn’t watch tape on his opponent and he doesn’t pay a lot of attention to the UFC. Strange…
Agree on the good interview and great writeup.
Anyone who doesn’t watch film is a moron. How could you not want to know what your opponent’s tendencies are? How does he do against the takedown, does he drop his hands at any point? Kos is a good fighter, but I don’t think he’s the brightest bulb in the box.
The bleach has been soaking in, little by litle, a little too long.
title shot
Pretty excited for this fight. Kampmann is one of my favorites and I’ve been a Rivera fan for a long time. Hope for a war.
The Kampmann/McFedries fight was a great display of MMA by Kampmann. He was clearly out-gunned in the stand-up; He couldn’t seem to figure out McFedries’ rhythm at all. However, like a true MMA fighter, he was able to change levels and get McFedries on the ground and sub him. It was really a great display of strategy.
I look forward to seeing lots more of this guy!
I couldnt agree more,, I was really surprised at the skill level Kampmann showed on the ground. I have since incorporated that same head and arm choke in my game.
Looking forward to seeing more of this guy in the future.
agreed again. not only did he show good poise and strategy but he was able to do so after receiving some really good shots. lesser fighters couldn’t have pulled themselves together.
Drew could be a loss or two from being on the outside of the organization. I hate to say it, but he reminds me of Riggs. I think he’s better than that, but if he can’t string together a couple of wins we know what will happen…. you gotta be well-rounded and be able to go where the fight takes you.
Oh, and I like Kampmann in this one…
i was already a fan of the fighter , now iam a fan of the man.
the HITMAN wins this fight any way he wants.
i can’t wait to see him climb the ladder towards Anderson Silva.
this kampmann’s chance to show why he should be the number one contender
this is kampmann’s time to show that he should be in the number one contender. hopefully he won’t get hurt before a title shot this time
…just mentioned him yesterday, so he wrecked his knee. Cant wait to seen him in the Octagon…
His last fight against Drew really opened my eyes to him because the amount of damage he took and was able to overcome. Drew is one of the hardest hitters in the MW division and Martin took the shots like a champ. He may even be able to weather the storm of Silva. That fight would be sick, awesome stand up battle, or maybe the match with Franklin could happen…and if he wins that, then automatic title shot should be in line…
He is pretty average in size for the MW division.
Kampmann looked good against McFedries but it was so long ago. Rivera is a can setup for Kampmann to kick down the street and get back in business. There are a lot of guys ahead of him though before you talk title shot: Henderson, Okami, Lutter, Nate Quarry, Cote, Marquardt (remember him?)… I would even throw Bisping in the gold division now that he is at MW. All those guys are fighting for 3rd place behind Franklin at #2. If Kampmann can beat a couple of those names, then skip Franklin and let him fight Silva.
Okami should have next shot at Anderson Silva even though he lost to Franklin so Silva can avenge this disq loss.