Interview with Martin 'Hitman' Kampmann
Iron life has made an interview with Martin Kampmann (KFT, DK) who recently won his fight at UFC Fight Night 6 that took place at Red Rock Casino in USA on the 17th of August. You can read the interview below!
What is your fighting background?
Well i did a little karate as a kid. But my background is really in Thaiboxing which I started like maybe 7 years ago.
In the beginning it was only for fun but then I had my first fight in 2000. I started training that in Kung Fu Toa center in my hometown of Aarhus. Then I took up shootfighting with shootersmma.com and I had some amateur mma fights. I also started regular boxing and had some amateur fights there too. My background is primarily stand up fighting but I've got a descent wrestling and ground game too.
Where do you train at the moment?
For my ufc fight I've been training in the xyience training center in Las Vegas. I also train at kung fu toa center in my hometown now when I'm back home and also with the shootersmma team.
Who do you train with?
In Vegas I was working out a lot with my friend Mike Pyle, who helped me a lot when I was there. He's a great fighter.
Also all the other guys at Xiyence training center. Forrest Griffin, Jay Hieron, Mike Whitehead, John Wood, Gray Maynard, Alex Schoenauer, Ron Frazer and the list goes on. I enjoyed training there and I will be back for next fight for sure. Shootersmma got a lot of good fighters too, but especially August Wallen has been a great teacher and a great help for my fighting.
What is your training regime like?
A lot of mma sparring. Doing weights or cardio in the mornings and then either wrestling and ground work in the evenings or stand up pad work and sparring.
Do you feel that 185lbs is the right weight for you - or will you ever change weight divisions?
I'm a pretty small 185lbs. I look smaller too cause all my weight is in my legs. I'd like to work a little on my upper body and gain some weight, cause it's a tough division and there's some big guys in it cutting a lot of weight.
I could cut to 170 too, I think I'd do pretty good there. When I can knock people at 185 I'll sure do it too at 170.
Right now I'm staying in 185 but I've definitly considered going down.
How did you get the nickname 'Hitman'?
I got it back from a EVT show I think. Danish mma reporter Tue Trnka gave me the name and it's stuck with me since.
What is your favourite memory from fighting on the Scandinavian circuit?
I don't really have any favorite, I've have had a lot good fights here and it will always be my homebase.
I had a really tough fight back at EVT 2 in Stockholm against Xavier Foupa-Poukam. We had a real war and I ultimatly won the fight cause he got DQ'ed for keep spitting his mouthpiece out. Not the best ending but it was a good fight though.
How was the experience of fighting on King of the Cage UK?
That was a good experience. I had a real good KO and I gained some popularity in the UK with that left kick and it helped me to get some more fights over there.
How does it feel to win and defend the Cagewarriors title?
I felt good. It's always been a pleasure fighting for Cagewarriors. I won the title against Matt Ewin who didn't really put up much of a fight, he tapped out before I had hardly given him a punch.
But fighting against Daimen Riccio was a good experience he's a tough guy and real cool outside the cage too.
Having fought twice in the US, do you feel comfortable out there?
I feel comfortable out there. Once you're inside the cage it really doesn't matter where you are, then it's all about the fight.
The heat in Vegas takes a little getting used too though. But I'm looking forward to fighting out there again.
How did your fight in the UFC against Crafton Wallace go?
I think it went real well. He came out strong and tried to get me with some high kicks but he didn't really set it up so I could defend it.
I think I got him with some good shots in the stand up, but then I caught one of his kicks and took the fight to the ground where I got the choke. I knew his weakness was the ground so when he gave me the opportunity I took it.
What do you think your style of fighting adds to the UFC?
I think most people like my style. I always try to end the fight and I never leave it to the decision.
I try to knock people out but I've got the submission skills too.
Do you know who your next opponent will be?
I don't know yet.
Do you have plans to defend your Cagewarriors belt?
I'd like to defend my Cagewarriors belt again. Right now I have a contract with the UFC and they are number one priority.
But Cagewarriors is a great promotion and I hope we can work something out too.
When you're not fighting, what do you do to relax?
I like to hang out with my friends and I like to play poker and video games. Go to the beach in the summer or go skiing in the winter.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
Thanks to all the friend and fans supporting me and thanks to punishment athletics and sprawl for sponsoring me at my last fight, and thanks to sublimsport.com.
UFC Fight Night 6 at Shooters database
