Martin Kampmann: ‘There’s a Lot of Ways I Can Beat Jake Ellenberger’

Martin Kampmann has been close to a title shot on a few different occasions, but never quite crossed the threshold to fight for the gold.

Now as he approaches the Ultimate Fighter Finale this Friday in Las Vegas, Kampmann may once again be one fight away from challenging for the belt and he’s ready to make the most of this opportunity.

This time around he faces Jake Ellenberger, who comes into the fight on a six-fight win streak over some impressive competition. That’s why it’s going to mean that much more for Kampmann should he defeat him.

“I think it’s a great match-up. We’re both in the top of the welterweight division, and so the winner of this fight should make a claim for the title shot. I’ll beat Ellenberger and of course I’d love to get a title shot,” Kampmann told MMAWeekly Radio.

“He’s a great wrestler, he’s got real heavy hands so he’s tough. He’s a dangerous opponent, but I feel I’m better, I’m more skilled, I got more tools and more ways to win the fight and that’s what I’m going to show on June 1.”

Through his last six wins, Ellenberger has looked extremely dangerous with his knockout power and great wrestling, but that’s not to say he hasn’t shown a few holes in his game as well according to Kampmann.

Every fighter has a weakness and Kampmann hopes to expose Ellenberger’s when they meet this weekend.

“I see a lot of weaknesses, I think there’s a lot of ways where he’s shown weaknesses, and I think they can definitely be exploited and I’m definitely going to show that,” Kampmann stated.

“I think Jake’s definitely more dangerous in the first (two) rounds. He comes out hard, he swings really hard and he commits really hard with his punches so that takes a lot of energy out of you, but at the same time those punches land really heavy so I think the first round is where he’s going to be the most dangerous.”

Ellenberger was accused following his last fight of having less than stellar cardio when in the third round of his bout against Diego Sanchez it appeared as if he was fading a bit. Right or wrong in that judgment, Kampmann is preparing to fight Ellenberger as hard in the first round as he would in the fifth and either way he’s going for the finish.

“I’m prepared to fight him the full distance I’m prepared to finish him in the first round. If he gives me the opportunity, I’m going to take it. I think there’s a lot of ways I can beat Jake Ellenberger and I’m ready to show you guys and go out with the win,” said Kampmann.

“I’ve been on the short end of some decisions so I don’t want to go to decisions. I’m here to finish fights, and that’s my goal.”

Kampmann will try to put Ellenberger away so the judges don’t even get involved. If that happens, he may very well be staring down a title shot in the near future.

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