“I wasn’t that hurt. It was more of a flash knockdown. I think he caught me with some better shots in the second round that hurt me, rocked me. I wasn’t, I didn’t go down in the secondâ€.
A topic of discussion before this fight was Ellenberger’s cardio going in to later rounds. Kampmann disagrees Ellenberger has a problem with this, and believes Jake is a smarter fighter than most give him credit for.
“I don’t know if he faded like people said he would. Look, he comes in really hard and throws combinations. He takes a short breather and then comes in again, hits hard again. I’m sure he could have kept going, but the way he fights is that he explodes, takes a short break, and then explodes real hard again. I’m sure he would have had energy back for another roundâ€.
With his win over Ellenberger that makes it three in a row for “The Hitman†over quality opponents. Sitting next to him at the top end of the title contender list is Johny Hendricks. Johny is on a four fight win streak, his last two being over two of the best 170 pound fighters in the world Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. Kampmann and Hendricks share a fight with Rick Story, but Kampmann scored a win while Hendricks came up short in his fight with Story. Needless to say the two of them believe they are next and many are saying that Johny deserves the nod.
“Of course I don’t agree. I’ve fought the best guys in the welterweight division. I’ve fought so many tough dudes at welterweight. I just beat Rick Story, Thiago Alves, and Jake Ellenberger back to back. I think that earned something. I think of course I’m here to fight the champ, but if I have to fight Johny to get there, the UFC makes the decisions and it’s their call. I can only do what they ask me to and hope for the best. I want to fight for the title and if I have to beat Johny to get there then so be itâ€.
The bottom line is that while current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre has been absent from the Octagon nursing an injury, Interim Champion Carlos Condit is left with a dilemma. There is no definite date of return for GSP so waiting for his return might not be a option if it is not soon. On the other hand a shot at the title doesn’t come along very often and Kampmann would agree with that.
“I don’t blame Condit for waiting on GSP, but it comes down to when GSP is going to be ready. If GSP will be ready soon like he says he is then I think it’s okay if he waits for it. I think that’s understandable. If GSP is going to be out for much longer then I think Condit should fight this year. If GSP is going to be ready, like I said I don’t blame him for waiting on him. I think most people would do that and I don’t blame him for doing that. GSP is out then Condit should defend the interim beltâ€.
With a win over Carlos Condit by a very close split decision, Kampmann hopes this motivates Carlos in to defending the championship instead of waiting.
“I hope so. I knows he wants to avenge that loss. He told me himself that we should do it again. I’m sure he thinks he can do better, and I think I can do better. I would love to do that again and make it a five round this time. The first fight we had was a back and forth battle, and I’m sure people would love to see five rounds of that. I think it would be great. I’ve got a win over him. That puts me in a good position to fight him. There’s a good storyline for thatâ€.
While Martin would welcome the shot at the belt he knows he has a while before he could challenge for it. He came out of his fight with Ellenberger a winner, but not unscathed.
“I’m going to be out for a while. I’ve got a sore nose and I sound like I’m all congested. I’ve got a big cut on my nose, and I’ve got a cut on my eyebrow, and I want to get a tear fixed that hasn’t been done for a long time. I think now is the time to get that fixed. I’m not looking to get back in to the cage for a while. I want to heal up and get my injuries good. Once I’m good I’m going to start training hard again and see what’s next for meâ€.
