Sunday, March 29, 2009

Kampmann comfortable in all phases of UFN 18 bout with Condit


Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

For most MMA observers, the main event of Wednsesday's "UFN 18: Condit vs. Kampmann" in Nashville, Tenn., is full of questions.

But as one of the bout's competitors, Martin Kampmann (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio), his only question is how to finish the fight.

"I'm happy either way," Kampmann said. "I'm going to try to knock [opponent Carlos Condit] out because the fight starts on the feet. But if that's not going to happen, then I'm going to try and submit him."

The bout represents an interesting matchup for many reasons. Kampmann had a successful run in the UFC at 185 pounds before recently dropping to the welterweight division. Condit (22-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will be making his UFC debut after the WEC dropped the welterweight division with the "Natural Born Killer" reigning as champion.

Both fighters have great striking ability, but each have shown a penchant for success on the ground.

But Kampmann believes he's found Condit's Achilles' heel while working to improve his own overall game.

"Lately I've been working a lot on my wrestling," Kampmann said. "That's really been one of my main focuses, is to improve my wrestling. I think it's definitely improved, but there's still a long way to go, of course.

"I try to be all-around, and I try to work on all aspects of the game. My striking still needs to improve. I get sloppy sometimes and get punched in the head too much. I go home and I say, '[Expletive], I've got to start moving my head.' And also my [jiu-jitsu], I get caught.

"But my wrestling has been my main focus lately. That's what I've been working a lot on. Condit, I think that's one of his main weaknesses, too, is his wrestling."

Despite a unanimous decision win over current middleweight challenger Thales Leites in 2006, Kampmann has yet to nail down a signature win in his otherwise successful UFC run. The Danish striker believes Condit's notoriety as the final WEC 170-pound champion may help provide that milestone.


Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

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