Martin Kampmann’s Drop to 170

For those who haven’t taken note of Martin Kampmann, you’re missing out. He’s 13-2 in his career, and 4-1 in the UFC. His only loss former #1 contender and King of Pancrase Nate Marquardt.

Marquardt is no slouch, but what’s more impressive about Kampmann’s record is that he’s smaller than all of his opponents, and he wins by virtue of superior technique. He’s a fantastic kickboxer with solid ground skills (he’s finished three of his opponents in the UFC by submission). His only real shortcoming has been his lack of power, and he’s seemed completely unable to finish an opponent on his feet since joining the UFC roster, though he’s been perfectly good at hurting them.

In dropping to 170, Kampmann may finally be able to starch opponents who will be relatively the same size. At six feet tall, Kampmann will still be lanky and probably slim compared to most opposition, but he won’t look small.

Kampmann does put himself in a tough position, as there is a great deal more versatility at 170 (between St. Pierre, Koscheck, Hazelett and, possibly, B.J. Penn). That’s not to say that the 185 pound division is boring, that’s definitely not true, but there isn’t as much diversity as far as fighting styles, especially as a few fighters in that division seem to be jumping out to 205 (Franklin and Henderson are first, but there may be more to come).

Kampmann is a warrior, and I look forward to seeing him fight at 170 pounds. He should be a good force in that division, though he has to fight a tough grappler Baixinho, a product of Gracie Barra. Still, I think that Baixinho is a stepping stone opponent, and that’s why the UFC picked him out.

Let us not forget that most people regarded Kampmann as a stepping stone for a then undefeated Thales Leites (Kampmann is still the only fighter to beat Leites), so anything can happen. My money’s on Kampmann, obviously, and though I’m not surprised that he’s on the undercard after his loss to Marquardt, I do expect him to make a splash in the weightclass, maybe not in one night, but certainly at some point in the near future.