Last Updated on Monday, 16 July 2012 10:13 Written by PunchDrunkGamer Monday, 16 July 2012 10:13

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Fighter of the Month: June 2012 – Martin Kampmann

By Christopher Jester

 

 

 

 

Fighter of the Month: Martin Kampmann

Event: The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale (June 1, 2012)

Opponent: Jake Ellenberger

Result: KO (Knees) – Round 2

 

 

Why He Deserves It?

 

Never count out Martin Kampmann in a fight. He has proven in his two most recent bouts that the match isn’t over until the final bell rings, until someone gets knocked out or submitted. He is the ideal comeback kid in the UFC’s Welterweight division.

 

Always producing stirring and exciting fights, Kampmann was entered this fight knowing that he would have to test his chin against the heavy-handed Jake Ellenberger, who was riding in on a 6-fight winning streak. With a possible #1 Contender award hinted at, this fight would change the landscape of the top contenders in the welterweight division regardless and it ended up being a great night for Kampmann.

 

However, it did not start that way. In the opening moments of the match, Ellenberger caught Kampmann with a nasty left hook and a follow-up right hand. Kampmann looked like he was in trouble early on as Ellenberger then began to pour on the flurries of punches. The Dane survived the Juggernaut’s onslaught, and Ellenberger stalled the matchup on the cage until near the end of the round when Kampmann attempted a guillotine choke that was unsuccessful.

 

The second round started nearly the same with Ellenberger lighting up Kampmann on the feet. During the exchange, Kampmann was able to land great counter-strikes and Ellenberger’s legs seemed to give out on him. Kampmann seized the opportunity and landed three knees in the clinch that dropped Ellenberger. Referee Steve Mazzagatti stepped in and rescued Ellenberger from any further punishment.

 

This comeback victory for Martin Kampmann helped him win Knockout of the Night honors, as well as a #1 Contenders matchup against Johnny Hendricks at the proposed UFC 158 event in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on November 17.

 

So with honor, it’s a pleasure to award Martin Kampmann, PunchDrunkGamer’s Fighter of the Month award! Good luck in your future endeavors!

 

Runner-Up(s):

 

* Demetrious Johnson (UFC On FX – June 8th) – Coming into this fight after their controversial first fight, Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall were set to repeat what was done in their first bout against each other. It was not to be though, as Johnson learned from his mistakes in the first fight and adjusted enough of his gameplan in order to take the unanimous decision. Controlling the fight with his incredible speed, Johnson was able to win and is now on his way to fighting in the UFC’s inaugural Flyweight Championship match against Joseph Benavidez.

 

* Fabricio Werdum (UFC 147 – June 23) – Werdum is proving that he is a force to be reckoned with since his return to the UFC. After beating down ‘Big Country’ Roy Nelson in his return fight, he steamrolled through the underrated Mike Russow at UFC 147. No one figured Russow would win this match-up, but it was surprising that Werdum didn’t need his famous jiu-jitsu to finish the bout. While the argument is that Werdum is not fighting top-level heavyweights, he is doing enough to reinvent himself in the eyes of MMA fans that saw his horrible last match under the Strikeforce banner against Alistair Overeem. Werdum is doing just right to revitalize himself as a Top 10 UFC Heavyweight.

 

* Erick Silva (UFC On FX – June 8th) – This rising talented welterweight would answer tons of questions in his fight against Charlie Brenneman. In his previous fights, Silva never needed to venture onto the ground to finish his opponents, so the question that was on everyone’s mind was how he would do if Brenneman wrestled the Brazilian to the ground. While the American was able to get Silva down in the fight, it was a sprawl on Silva’s part that helped him take Brenneman’s back and he sunk in a rear-naked choke. He tapped out Brenneman at 4:33 of the first round. Since his debut in the UFC, Silva has been outstanding; even in defeat with a controversial DQ loss to Carlo Prater. Erick Silva is without a doubt a welterweight to watch.

 

Honorable Mention:

 

* Rich Franklin (UFC 147 – June 23) – Franklin stepped in on short notice to fight Wanderlei Silva in the latter’s home country of Brazil. Early in the fight Silva nearly finished Franklin, but the former UFC Middleweight champion weathered the storm to come back and win the match-up with all three judges scoring the bout 49-46 for a unanimous decision. Franklin may be entering the twilight years of his career but he still can put on riveting performances. Even at the age of 37, Franklin hopes to make another run at a title, and with performances like the one he pulled off on June 23rd, he may still have what it takes to make this possible.

 

 

Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka

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