Martin Kampmann
Martin Kampmann (born 17 April 1982) is a retired Danish mixed martial artist who competed professionally from 2003 to 2013, primarily in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[1] Known professionally as "The Hitman," he amassed a career record of 20 wins and 7 losses, including 11 victories in 17 UFC appearances, before officially retiring from the sport in 2016.[2][3] Born in Aarhus, Denmark, Kampmann began training in martial arts as a teenager, initially focusing on karate and Thai boxing before incorporating Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submissions around 2000 while studying engineering.[4] He made his professional debut on 15 February 2003, defeating Gert Mannaerts by TKO (punches) in the first round in a regional event in Denmark.[5][6] Early in his career, Kampmann competed in promotions like Cage Warriors Fighting Championship, where he captured the middleweight title in 2005 by TKO (submission to punches) against Matt Ewin at Cage Warriors 13. He defended the belt once before vacating it upon signing with the UFC.[6] Kampmann entered the UFC at UFC Fight Night 6 on August 17, 2006, earning a first-round submission victory over Crafton Wallace to replace an injured fighter.[7] Over the next eight years, he became known for his versatile skill set, including sharp striking and grappling, with notable wins including a split decision over Carlos Condit in 2009, a third-round submission of Thiago Alves in 2012, and a dramatic second-round TKO of Jake Ellenberger in 2012 after recovering from a severe cut.[2] His UFC tenure featured high-profile bouts against top contenders like Nate Marquardt, Paulo Thiago, and Johny Hendricks, though he suffered setbacks including knockout losses to Condit in a 2013 rematch and Hendricks in 2012.[6] Following his final fight—a TKO loss to Condit at UFC Fight Night 27—Kampmann stepped away due to accumulating injuries, including multiple concussions, and transitioned to coaching roles, including a stint as head coach at Team Alpha Male.[8][9]Early Life and Background
Upbringing and Family
Martin Kampmann was born on April 17, 1982, in Aarhus, Denmark.[6] He was raised by Danish parents in the coastal city of Aarhus, the second-largest urban area in Denmark, during his early childhood.[7][1] Kampmann's family placed a strong emphasis on education, encouraging him to prioritize academic performance and excel among his peers from a young age.[10] No public details are available regarding siblings or specific parental professions, reflecting Kampmann's preference for privacy in personal matters.Introduction to Martial Arts and Education
Martin Kampmann's journey into martial arts began in his childhood in Aarhus, Denmark, where he started training in karate at the age of 14, inspired by martial arts films such as Bloodsport. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his lifelong dedication to combat sports. He soon expanded his training to include Muay Thai and boxing, competing as an amateur in Thai boxing events.[11] In 2000, at the age of 18, Kampmann delved into submission wrestling through Shooters MMA in Copenhagen, marking a pivotal shift toward grappling arts that would define his mixed martial arts foundation. This training introduced him to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, complementing his striking background. During his amateur phase, he achieved a strong record of 8–1 across submission wrestling and early MMA competitions, demonstrating his rapid development and versatility in the sport.[11][12] Parallel to his martial arts progression, Kampmann pursued higher education as an engineering student in Denmark. He balanced rigorous academic demands with intensive training, turning professional in MMA in 2003 without initially abandoning his studies. This dual commitment highlighted his disciplined approach, supported by his family's encouragement during his formative years.[13]Mixed Martial Arts Career
Early Professional Career
Martin Kampmann made his professional mixed martial arts debut on February 15, 2003, defeating Gert Mannaerts via first-round TKO (punches) at VF 3 - Rumble in the West in Copenhagen, Denmark.[6] Over the next two years, he quickly amassed an 8-1 record across various European promotions, showcasing a versatile skill set that blended striking prowess with grappling fundamentals rooted in his wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu training.[6] Key early victories included a first-round KO (knee) against Dave Jones at XFC 2 - The Perfect Storm in November 2003 and a second-round disqualification win over Xavier Foupa-Pokam at EVT 2 - Hazard in April 2004, demonstrating his aggressive stand-up game and ability to pressure opponents.[6] His sole professional loss during this period came on October 9, 2004, against Andrei Semenov by first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) at M-1 MFC - Middleweight GP in Saint Petersburg, Russia, which highlighted areas for improvement in durability against high-level competition.[6] Kampmann rebounded strongly in 2005, securing four consecutive wins, including a first-round KO (head kick) over Brendan Seguin at KOTC - Warzone in June.[6] These bouts refined his fighting style, evolving him into a well-rounded striker-grappler capable of finishing fights on the feet with powerful kicks and knees or transitioning to submissions on the ground.[6] Kampmann's breakthrough came in the Cage Warriors promotion, where he competed in the middleweight division. On July 16, 2005, he earned a first-round TKO (punches) victory over Matt Ewin at CWFC - Cage Warriors 13: Strike Force 2.[6] He then captured the Cage Warriors World Middleweight Championship on November 26, 2005, submitting Damien Riccio via rear-naked choke in the second round at CWFC - Cage Warriors 17: Strike Force 4, solidifying his status as a top European prospect with a balanced offensive arsenal.[6] He vacated the title upon signing with the UFC in 2006.Ultimate Fighting Championship Tenure
Martin Kampmann made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut on August 17, 2006, at UFC Fight Night 6 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he faced Crafton Wallace in a middleweight bout and secured a first-round submission victory via rear-naked choke at 2:59.[6] Continuing in the middleweight division, Kampmann defeated Thales Leites by unanimous decision at The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale on November 11, 2006, showcasing his grappling prowess in a competitive three-round fight.[6] He followed this with another submission win, arm-triangle choke against Drew McFedries in the first round at UFC 68 on March 3, 2007, and a guillotine choke submission over Jorge Rivera at UFC 85 on June 7, 2008, establishing himself as a submission specialist early in his UFC tenure.[6] Kampmann's middleweight run faced a setback at UFC 88 on September 6, 2008, when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Nate Marquardt via punches at 1:22, highlighting the challenges of competing against elite strikers in the division.[6] He rebounded with a second-round TKO victory over Alexandre Barros via punches at UFC 93 on January 17, 2009, in his final middleweight appearance.[6] Transitioning to the welterweight division later that year, Kampmann earned a pivotal split decision win over Carlos Condit in the main event of UFC Fight Night 18 on April 1, 2009, a closely contested bout that propelled him toward contention and earned him a Fight of the Night bonus.[6] However, he then suffered a first-round TKO loss to Paul Daley at UFC 103 on September 19, 2009.[6] In the welterweight division, Kampmann's career progressed with a first-round guillotine submission over Jacob Volkmann at UFC 108 on January 2, 2010, and a unanimous decision victory against Paulo Thiago at UFC 115 on June 12, 2010.[6] However, he dropped split and unanimous decisions to Jake Shields at UFC 121 on October 23, 2010, and Diego Sanchez at UFC Live 3 on March 3, 2011, respectively, with the latter earning Fight of the Night honors for its intense back-and-forth action.[6] Kampmann then secured a unanimous decision over Rick Story at UFC 139 on November 19, 2011, maintaining his momentum in the division.[6] Kampmann achieved key victories in 2012, starting with a third-round guillotine submission against Thiago Alves at UFC on FX 2 on March 3, which awarded him Submission of the Night, followed by a second-round knockout via knee against Jake Ellenberger at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale on June 1, earning Knockout of the Night and elevating him to a peak ranking of No. 1 in the welterweight division in October 2012.[6] His ascent was halted by a first-round knockout loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC 154 on November 17, 2012.[6] In his final UFC bout, Kampmann fell to Condit via fourth-round TKO punches and knees at UFC Fight Night 27 on August 28, 2013, though the rematch garnered Fight of the Night recognition for its competitiveness.[6] Following this fight, Kampmann entered a hiatus lasting over two years, during which he did not compete, before announcing his retirement from mixed martial arts on January 6, 2016, concluding his UFC career with an 11-6 record and multiple performance bonuses across Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night, and Submission of the Night categories.[3][6]Championships and Accomplishments
Kampmann won the Cage Warriors World Middleweight Championship by submitting Damien Riccio via rear-naked choke in the second round at Cage Warriors 17: Strike Force 4 on November 26, 2005, in Coventry, England.[14] He vacated the title upon signing with the UFC in 2006. During his UFC tenure from 2006 to 2013, Kampmann earned five performance bonuses for his efforts in various bouts. These included Submission of the Night for his guillotine choke victory over Thiago Alves at UFC on FX 2 in March 2012, worth $50,000.[15] He received Knockout of the Night for knocking out Jake Ellenberger in the second round at The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale in June 2012, earning $40,000.[16] For his war with Diego Sanchez at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann in March 2011, Kampmann was awarded both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night, totaling $160,000. Additionally, he secured Fight of the Night honors for his rematch against Carlos Condit at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 in August 2013, receiving $50,000.[17] Kampmann's overall professional MMA record stands at 20 wins and 7 losses, with his victories distributed as 8 by knockout or TKO (40%), 7 by submission (35%), and 5 by decision (25%).[2] In October 2012, following a string of high-profile wins, he achieved a career-high ranking of No. 1 in the welterweight division according to Fight Matrix.Professional Fight Record
Martin Kampmann compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 20 wins and 7 losses across 27 bouts.[6] Of his victories, nine came by knockout or technical knockout, six by submission, four by decision, and one by disqualification; his defeats consisted of five knockouts or technical knockouts and two decisions.[6] The complete record, presented chronologically below, encompasses all professional fights from his debut in 2003 through his final bout in 2013.[6]| Date | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2003 | Gert Mannaerts | VF 3 - Rumble in the West | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | N/A |
| Nov 09, 2003 | Dave Jones | XFC 2 - The Perfect Storm | Win | KO (Knee) | 1 | N/A |
| Dec 06, 2003 | Toni Vivas | EVT 1 - Genesis | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:23 |
| Apr 04, 2004 | Xavier Foupa-Pokam | EVT 2 - Hazard | Win | DQ | 2 | 0:27 |
| Oct 09, 2004 | Andrei Semenov | M-1 MFC - Middleweight GP | Loss | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 1 | 1:21 |
| Mar 04, 2005 | Matt Ewin | HOP 2 - Fight Night 2 | Win | TKO (Retirement) | 1 | 5:00 |
| Jun 24, 2005 | Brendan Seguin | KOTC - Warzone | Win | KO (Head Kick) | 1 | 2:05 |
| Jul 16, 2005 | Matt Ewin | CWFC - Cage Warriors 13: Strike Force 2 | Win | TKO (Submission to Punches) | 1 | 2:45 |
| Nov 26, 2005 | Damien Riccio | CWFC - Cage Warriors 17: Strike Force 4 | Win | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 1:58 |
| Jul 22, 2006 | Edwin Aguilar | WFA 4 - King of the Streets | Win | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:43 |
| Aug 17, 2006 | Crafton Wallace | UFC Fight Night 6 - Sanchez vs. Parisyan | Win | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 2:59 |
| Nov 11, 2006 | Thales Leites | UFC - The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Mar 03, 2007 | Drew McFedries | UFC 68 - Uprising | Win | Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) | 1 | 4:06 |
| Jun 07, 2008 | Jorge Rivera | UFC 85 - Bedlam | Win | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | 2:44 |
| Sep 06, 2008 | Nate Marquardt | UFC 88 - Breakthrough | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:22 |
| Jan 17, 2009 | Alexandre Barros | UFC 93 - Franklin vs. Henderson | Win | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 3:07 |
| Apr 01, 2009 | Carlos Condit | UFC Fight Night 18 - Condit vs. Kampmann | Win | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Sep 19, 2009 | Paul Daley | UFC 103 - Franklin vs. Belfort | Loss | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:31 |
| Jan 02, 2010 | Jacob Volkmann | UFC 108 - Evans vs. Silva | Win | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | 4:03 |
| Jun 12, 2010 | Paulo Thiago | UFC 115 - Liddell vs. Franklin | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Oct 23, 2010 | Jake Shields | UFC 121 - Lesnar vs. Velasquez | Loss | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Mar 03, 2011 | Diego Sanchez | UFC Live 3 - Sanchez vs. Kampmann | Loss | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Nov 19, 2011 | Rick Story | UFC 139 - Shogun vs. Henderson | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Mar 03, 2012 | Thiago Alves | UFC on FX 2 - Alves vs. Kampmann | Win | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 3 | 4:12 |
| Jun 01, 2012 | Jake Ellenberger | UFC - The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale | Win | TKO (Knee) | 2 | 1:40 |
| Nov 17, 2012 | Johny Hendricks | UFC 154 - St. Pierre vs. Condit | Loss | KO (Punch) | 1 | 0:46 |
| Aug 28, 2013 | Carlos Condit | UFC Fight Night 27 - Condit vs. Kampmann 2 | Loss | TKO (Punches and Knees) | 4 | 0:54 |