Author: Matt Molgaard

UFC 154: Martin Kampmann Will Beat Down Johny Hendricks

When it comes to competitive matches, this might be the most compelling fight to be featured at UFC 154. Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit will likely be an entertaining bout, Francis Carmont vs. Tom Lawlor should yield a frenetic pace and a probable…

When it comes to competitive matches, this might be the most compelling fight to be featured at UFC 154.

Georges St-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit will likely be an entertaining bout, Francis Carmont vs. Tom Lawlor should yield a frenetic pace and a probable finish given each man’s history, and Constantinos Philippou always comes to claim heads.

This is an exciting card, make no mistake.

However, if there’s any fight featured on this card that has a strong chance of emerging as “Fight of the Night,” it’s Martin Kampmann vs. Johny Hendricks.

With a combined 23 finishes, both men have proven themselves legit warriors and consistent closers. Hendricks loves to incorporate a wrestling-heavy attack with some massive punches infused, and Kampmann has developed some noteworthy takedown defense.

The Dane’s knockout power probably doesn’t need to be explored too meticulously. If you’ve seen Kampmann compete, you know he’s a banger of the highest order, refined and fluid from defensive and offensive approaches, and the owner of one-punch (knee or kick) knockout power.

To an extent, the same can be said for Hendricks, although his overall striking acumen is clearly inferior to “The Hitman’s.” Johny still packs a wallop in his fists, and he utilizes aggressive wrestling to create the required openings to land significant punches.

It’s not always pretty, but Hendricks knows how to get the job done.

 

The key to this clash could stem from the submission category, where Kampmann holds a significant advantage. This is a guy who can grab a submission from anywhere.

Although most effective from top position, Martin poses a threat to anyone bold enough to shoot a takedown attempt. When shooting, the neck is typically left exposed, if even for just a brief moment, and Kampmann is savvy enough to strike while the iron’s hot and capitalize on the smallest of mistakes.

But while a submission could bring this competition to a sudden halt, it is unlikely Martin finds that opening without rattling the rugged wrestler first. That’s where that striking advantage is going to come into play.

Johny Hendricks has no qualms in closing the distance and getting up close and personal to land a big shot. But the Oklahoma representative will walk straight into the crossfire if he opts to wade into the pocket with “The Hitman.”

Hendricks is always game, and he’s frighteningly strong, but he’s going to have to rough Kampmann up in order to ensure a victory. That’s exactly what is going to lead to a shocking finish.

Look for Hendricks to use his wrestling effectively early, but expect complacency to eventually catch the WEC import. Hendricks will get a little too comfortable being the stronger man, and that’s going to create the opportunity Martin requires.

The end will come in the latter portions of the third round when Kampmann catches “Bigg Rigg” with his hands too low. Kampmann will floor Johny Hendricks and leap in to secure a rear-naked choke on his turtling foe.

Take that analysis to the bank, and swarm me on Twitter with your profanities if you think I’m way off, that is.    

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UFC 154: Questions We Have About Carlos Condit

It’s unlikely that we’ll see anything other than Carlos Condit attempting to decapitate Georges St. Pierre Saturday night. The man shows up with sound ideas and well-planned tactics, and those blueprints tend to involve a lot of aggression….

It’s unlikely that we’ll see anything other than Carlos Condit attempting to decapitate Georges St. Pierre Saturday night. The man shows up with sound ideas and well-planned tactics, and those blueprints tend to involve a lot of aggression.

Outside of his bout with Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit has looked like a monster in the cage. Even when the man is hurt, he’s in the fight, battling to regain his footing and secure an upper hand. When you’re always a threat, you earn nicknames like “The Natural Born Killer”.

All that said, Carlos will tangle with the greatest welterweight to ever grace the octagon, the longtime champ, GSP. Soak that up for a minute. This isn’t just another fight for Condit, this is the fight, and there are a handful of significant questions that come affixed.

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UFC 154: Martin Kampmann and the 10 Fighters Who Are Never out of a Fight

Every now and then a special breed of fighter emerges. A man both profoundly tough and always dangerous, this man is a scarce find. But these special exceptions to the rule are out there, and this is a tribute to the toughest of the tough, the true kil…

Every now and then a special breed of fighter emerges. A man both profoundly tough and always dangerous, this man is a scarce find. But these special exceptions to the rule are out there, and this is a tribute to the toughest of the tough, the true killers who always hunt for the finish, even when everything’s on the line and nothing’s in the knees.

To launch this piece with anyone other than Martin Kampmann at the forefront of discussion feels certifiably improper. Have no doubt, there are men who happen to be just as tough as Martin Kampmann.

But to point to anyone and say definitively, without the shadow of a doubt, that Chris Leben, or Nick Diaz or Mauricio Rua is the tougher guy…this kind of intangible is practically immeasurable. It’s a wild X-factor that you have or you don’t.

Martin Kampmann has it.

Time and again “The Hitman” has displayed a wild ability to recover from potentially fight-ending blows and compromised positions. He refuses to quit, and if you cannot render the man completely immobilized—a feat only three men have accomplished—there is a constant threat that lingers.

Jake Ellenberger roughed up Kampmann early in their meeting at The Ultimate Fighter 15 finale, but that didn’t stop him from keeping his fight IQ in the target range. He struggled, survived and eventually throttled Ellenberger, forcing referee intervention.

Thiago Alves looked to be about 45 seconds away from exiting the Octagon victorious, but Kampmann capitalized on a single err in judgment and snatched victory from the grip of defeat with a tight guillotine choke.

While the judges don’t always side with Kampmann, even when it appears he’s clearly won the contest, he brings his heart into the cage with him and lets it pump plasma all over the canvas. He did it when tangling with Diego Sanchez and Jake Shields. He’s proven to be a guy that simply cannot be overlooked.

No matter how the fight unfolds, one guarantee is affixed: Kampmann can never be counted out of a fight.

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Takanori Gomi, UFC on FUEL TV 6: 6 Questions We Have About Gomi

Takanori Gomi has seen the up side of down and everything in between during his 14-year career as a mixed martial artist. The man has scored some breath-taking knockouts, risen to the top ranks of the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships, worked hi…

Takanori Gomi has seen the up side of down and everything in between during his 14-year career as a mixed martial artist. The man has scored some breath-taking knockouts, risen to the top ranks of the now-defunct Pride Fighting Championships, worked his way into the pound-for-pound discussion and amassed two incredible winning streaks (one being 14 straight, the other being 10).

However, Gomi has hit a few skids along the way as well. He was manhandled by B.J. Penn at Rumble on the Rock 4, submitted by Marcus Aurelio while fighting in his prime and turned into a highlight-reel victim by Nick Diaz at Pride 33, and he hasn’t pieced together anything more than a two-fight winning streak since 2009.

The man’s desire to fight has certainly come into question in recent years, and since transitioning to the North American promotion, The Ultimate Fighting Championship, he has appeared to be a shadow of his former self.

But what does it all mean? Are “The Fireball Kid’s” best days long gone? Is the cage not favorable to his style? Is he training as he should be in order to compete with the best in the world today?

So many questions…so few answers.

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Myles Jury vs. Michael Johnson: Head-to-Toe Breakdown

I love to see young, hungry guys tangle in a battle for supremacy. However, when both are on pace to emerge as legit, dangerous, top-10 material in a few years, I think sometimes letting things simmer can be a bit more beneficial. Michael Johnson is ev…

I love to see young, hungry guys tangle in a battle for supremacy. However, when both are on pace to emerge as legit, dangerous, top-10 material in a few years, I think sometimes letting things simmer can be a bit more beneficial.

Michael Johnson is evolving into a complete, competitive fighter who now looks to stand as one of the top talents produced by the 12th season of The Ultimate Fighter. Since his loss to Jonathan Brookins at the season finale back in 2010, he’s put together a solid 4-1 record, including his recent consecutive victories over Shane Roller, Tony Ferguson and Danny Castilloe; he’s building himself a future.

Myles Jury, in contrast, has been plagued by the injury bug, but he did earn his first promotional victory at the TUF 15 finale, and he’s still an unbeaten man who has never won by decision. He’s a prospect, plain and simple.

I see this as a fight that should have been shelved and put together in a year or so, after each man has been afforded the chance to pick up a few more wins inside the promotion; a stronger sense of cage comfort would benefit both men.

But I’m not Joe Silva, I don’t assemble matches, I just watch and report. For better or worse, this match goes down at UFC 155.

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The UFCs 10 Nicest Fighters

We all know, and likely acknowledge the fact, that in combat sports, it’s often the villainous persona that sells tickets. Honestly, I don’t have any qualms with a fighter attempting to market himself. MMA may be a sport, but there’s …

We all know, and likely acknowledge the fact, that in combat sports, it’s often the villainous persona that sells tickets. Honestly, I don’t have any qualms with a fighter attempting to market himself. MMA may be a sport, but there’s an awfully hefty load that goes into the process of creating great entertainment, and who can blame a man for aiming to increase his market value, even if at any and all cost?

I can roll with a gimmick. I ain’t mad, if you know what I’m saying.

However, there’s something rather special about those guys who enter competition, perform as though they aim to replicate a lion mauling a young wildebeest and never lose sight of the fact that they don’t need to act tough; they are tough.  

It’s the men who showcase a genuine respect for their opponent and the men who don’t need a microphone to project anything other than sincerity that make this sport so special. Those aren’t primitive monsters in the cage; they’re men. Some just seem to express that in stronger fashion than others.  

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