Martin Kampmann: ‘Carlos Condit Has A Target On His Back’

Martin Kampmann has thrown his name in the hat to fight UFC interim welterweight titleholder Carlos Condit.

The two have history.

Kampmann holds a win over Condit.  He won a razor-close split decision over Condit in April of 2009.  Like most split decisions, many scored Condit winning the fight.

“I’ll fight anyone, but of course right now Carlos Condit has a target on his back.  I’ve got a win over him.  Since GSP (Georges St-Pierre) is out, he’s the one everybody is gunning for and I’d love to get a chance to fight him one more time. I know he’d want to get a chance to avenge that loss he has to me, so let’s go,” said Kampmann following his win over Thiago Alves at UFC on FX 2.

Jake Ellenberger has indicated that he’d like to rematch Condit, as well.  Ellenberger has strung together a six-fight win streak since losing by split decision to Condit in September of 2009.  He’s probably the top contender in the 170-pound division, but a rematch with Condit isn’t likely to happen anytime soon.

Condit has stated that he plans to wait for injured champion St-Pierre to return, but things change quickly in this sport.

“I’m probably going to talk to Carlos about this now,” said UFC president Dana White during the UFC on FX 2 post-fight press conference.

“(Condit’s) thing was with Ellenberger, he was like, ‘I just fought him. I just fought Ellenberger.  I’m probably going to end up fighting Ellenberger again if I beat GSP.’  We’ll see what happens,” said White.

At the end of the day, it’s St-Pierre’s recovery that is going to determine whether or not Condit does in fact sit out and wait for the sidelined champion to return.

“We’ve got to see, obviously, what the progression is with Georges.  If Georges’ recovery doesn’t come along like it should, which you never know with these things, it could come earlier.  It could come later,” said the UFC president.

White didn’t rule out the possibility of a Condit vs. Kampmann rematch.

“I’ve seen this with so many fighters.  I’ve dealt with them for so long throughout the years.  In the beginning they’re like, especially when they’ve just come off a fight, they’re like, yeah, I’m going to take some time.  I’m going to relax and hang out with my family.  Four weeks later they call me and they’re like, yeah, let’s get another fight going,” explained White.

“That might happen with Condit and maybe he wants to fight Kampmann now.”

The decision ultimately is Condit’s to make.

“He’s earned the right,” said White.  “When all that drama was going on with Georges and (Nick) Diaz and this and that, Condit could not have been more professional.  Could not have been more of a stud.  I have nothing but respect for this guy.

“If this guy wants to sit around and wait for Georges St-Pierre, I’m cool with that.  He’s earned it.”