UFC 121 by Brian Michelino

      On Saturday October 23rd in the Honda Center Brock Lesnar will defend
his Heavy Weight Title against challenger Cain Velasquez, but before
this fight takes place Martin “The Hit Man” Kampmann will Welcome Jake
Shields to the UFC. Martin Kampmann is the underdog in this fight
according to odds makers, but make no mistake Kampmann stand much more
than a “punchers chance” in this fight.
       Martin Kampmann was one of the many professional fighters that made
it down to D’Arce Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many of us at D’Arce were able
to train with him and by all accounts “The Hit man” is no slouch in
the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu department. His fight against Palo Thiago showed
this too, when the fight went to the ground Kampmann was able to
neutralize Palo’s dangerous BJJ game. Kampmann even went on the attack
trying to finish Palo with submissions of his own. Kampmann has 6
submission wins under his belt and completely understands the Brazilian
jiu jitsu aspect of MMA.
       Jake Shields a dominating wrestler and talented Jiu Jitsu
practitioner poses many threats with his ground attacks but shields is
not known as a powerful striker. Kampmann has three losses on his
record one a doctor stoppage from a cut, the other two TKO losses from
two of the best strikers in the UFC, Shields not being a dominating
striker like the two men to finish Kampmann before; I don’t see him
putting Kampmann away.
       This is an interesting fight and I think many people are counting
Kampmann out, if Jake is looking past Kampmann it could be a long
night for the former Strikeforce champ. Style wise this fight plays
right into Kampmann’s hands look for the knockout in the second round.
I’m calling a Kampmann upset.