TUF 9 Finale: Martin Kampmann vs TJ Grant in the works for June 20 (Updated)
by Stefan Manojlovic on May 20, 2009 2:50 PM EDT
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UPDATE: MMAmania.com has been informed by TJ Grant's camp that Martin Kampmann has opted not to sign the bout agreement, effectively canceling the proposed contest.
Grant however, is still slated to appear at the TUF 9 finale on June 20.
Former top middleweight contender Martin Kampmann (15-2) was recently in talks to tangle with UFC sophomore TJ Grant (14-2) in a welterweight match up at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 Finale at "The Pearl" at the Palms Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 20.
Grant announced the bout earlier today (May 20) via his Facebook page, however MMAmania.com got word from Grant's camp that Kampmann did not agree to the proposed match up and opted not to sign the bout agreement.
Kampmann last competed at UFC Fight Night 18: "Condit vs. Kampmann," spoiling the Octagon debut of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) Welterweight Champion and top-ranked 170-pound fighter Carlos Condit.
The "Hitman" recently had his nine-fight win streak snapped after getting wrecked by Nate Marquardt in short order via bruising first round technical knockout at UFC 88: "Breakthrough" back in September 2008. It was apparently a wake up call for the Danish kickboxer that perhaps he is better suited to compete in a division 15 pounds lighter.
This would have marked the third time that Kampmann competed at 170 pounds. And if he was able to perform well like he did on April 1, he could have been facing some top competition in the category sooner rather than later.
Grant made his UFC debut with a split decision victory over PRIDE veteran Ryo Chonan on April 18 at UFC 97 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The FitPlus standout has won 14 of his 16 professional fights - with a staggering 12 of those 14 by submission.
In addition to winning matches, he’s been winning over audiences in Canada for quite some time and holds convincing victories over UFC veterans like Forrest Petz.
TUF 9 Finale features a lightweight match between Diego Sanchez and Clay Guida, as well as a co main event that pits and Joe Stevenson against Nate Diaz in another fantastic 155-pound showdown.
Naturally, the Spike TV special will also host the lightweight and welterweight finales for the ninth season of TUF, which is currently in progress. Coach Dan Henderson is leading a U.S. team against coach Michael Bisping and his British squad.
For more on TUF 9 Finale click here.
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Usn’t it his 3rd time at ww? What weight did he fight at at the Ireland card?
And this fught doesn’t make sense anyway. He’s fresh off of beating WEC ww champ. He deserved a higer profile name
Its a no win situation for Hitman, while Grant has evrything to gain
by IrishKev on May 20, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Let Kampmann beat up on this guy than let him and Kos headline like UFN 20 when they announce it.
by WB on May 20, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
what a waste of time. NO offense to your boy TJ, but Kampman is ABOVE fighting him. He just beat Condit, why in the world would he accept this fight. He has nothing to gain from beating TJ Grant
by john on May 20, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, Kampmann deserves to be fighting top 5 WW right now. But this could turn out to be a slug-fest so I won’t complain. Seems all of Kampmann’s opponents want to avoid the stand up lately.
by jay on May 20, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Shoulda put Kampmann vs Swick and Ben vs TJ. Woulda made more sense. Other matches for Kampmann could be Karo, Stun Gun, or Marcus Davis (even though hes fighting at 99)
by Synyster on May 20, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
perhaps this is a tune up fight for a big fight
by wm133 on May 20, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
no since when do the UFC do tune ups except for a fighter who has just had a massive lay off or someone making their UFC debut and wanting to fight for the title (Silva, Rampage)
altho im still dying to know what the Rampage Jardine fight was 4…but il not get into it.
by Randy for Couture on May 20, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree, let him warm up against this guy then take on some real competition.
by WB on May 20, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
well i would have to say leites vs. mcfedries was a tune up fight, and werdum vs. dos santos .. jon fitch vs. chris wilson ….not really tune up fights but just fights they put together to keep them from having a long lay off if there in line for a title shot
by wm133 on May 20, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Unimpressed by the hitman. Put him against your Marcus davis’ of the world coz anyone with superior wrestling or striking destroys him. Condit won that fight and everyone knows it. I can’t see Kampmann offering anything to any legit top 5 WW. Alves straight kills him, Kos and fitch paint the canvas with him via GNP, and don’t get me started with GSP. He wouldn’t dare stand with my boy Paulo thiago(that was a joke btw).
by NameNotRequired on May 20, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions
thats why we have gate keepers and martin is a perfect fit
by wm133 on May 20, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
C’mon guys, it’s way too early to write Kampmann off as a gatekeeper. He might never crack the top 5, but he has some nice stand-up skills and his ground game is improving. Condit is an excellent welterweight and he held his own against him.
by Jeremyjackson on May 20, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed i for one think that kampman won that fight … and can easily see him in the bottom half of the top 10
by wm133 on May 21, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
john you took the words outta my mouth man, kampman DESERVES a top10 fight and i think koscheck would be perfect or maybe even karo? i understand both are out for different reasons but comeback time is nearing for kos
by randy murders on May 20, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve gotta have some love for my fellow Atlantic Canadian but this is a lose-lose for Kampmann. He deserved someone with a little more of a higher profile. Grant is a game fighter and he has a ton of heart but he’s going up against someone destined to be a title contender and Grant just isn’t there yet in my opinion. It’s a huge opportunity for Grant though and I hope puts up a good showing.
by Buster Bluth on May 20, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
not yet…working on it! I wont forget about you!
Forrest vs. Rampage! u r on my sh*tlist Forrest!
by john on May 20, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
lol John. Do you have a fight lined up vs Mir or Timmy?
by Synyster on May 20, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Synys,i’m thinking to be able to play tonight,but i don’t think to go online yet.I would,like to be a little more challenging b/c i didn’t play the demo much…and i,will add you to my buddy list tonight an send you an invite!
by Alpha Male 360 on May 20, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree… it would be great for him. However, Kampmann is quite a test for this UFC newcomer so let’s hope TJ is in the gym as we type.
by DJ on May 20, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
this fight doesnt make sense to me for kampmann. he just got done beating a top ten welterweight in condit and no offense to grant but i think he should get a tougher opponent. The 170 lb division is stacked. i wouldnt have minded seeing kampman take on matt brown. talk about a possible slugfest right there.
by bobby o'shea on May 20, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions
although TJ is VERY tough I tend to agree…really not much to gain here for Kamp
by McArthur on May 20, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
What is with all the love for Matt Brown? He is still unproven as a contender, but everyone thinks he deserves mention every time a top 170 is brought up. If anything Matt is a step down from TJ. I know TJ didn’t really showcase his talent very well in Montreal, but Matt isn’t a top 15 WW like everyone seems to think he is. He will be exposed for the gatekeeper he will eventually become soon enough.
by jay on May 20, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
it’s because no matter what brown brings it he comes out to FIGHT not have a tickling contest or a lay n pray gay porn video, the dude comes in and throws
by randy murders on May 20, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
sorry jay but i have to disagree. Matt brown is a pretty tough dude. He’s fought harder guys than grant. Grant’’s only notable win was against forrest petz and most people say he actually lost to ryo chonnan in his ufc debut. i didnt see it so i cant say i felt the same way. Brown is 3-1 in the ufc and i think he won his fite against Dong Hyun Kim. brown has an awesome chin and always comes to fite. grant does have a good ground game but i would take brown over him at this point if that fite were to happen.
by bobby o'shea on May 20, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel the same as everybody else. This fight is a complete and total waste of time. I hate this fight. I won’t be surprised if Kampmann comes in unprepaired and loses. I don’t know anything about TJ, but hopefully Martin can beat him on his worst day. Why not have him at least fight Matt Brown?
I just checked the UFC website. I didn’t realize that Leites is getting the Fitch treatment. From main event title fight to undercard untelevised. Sucks for him…
by BNF on May 20, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions
He’s getting the Fitch treatment but for different reasons; Fitch went out and fought like a warrior, Leites went out like a b****.
by O damn he got caught on May 20, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I might get a little flamed for this but I still think Carlos won that fight by taking rnds 1 and 2
by McArthur on May 20, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have to watch it again, but from what I remember it was Martin that seemed to control most of the fight and was on top the majority of the time.
by BNF on May 20, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree, I think Condit won a close fight there… and I bet on Kampmann, so it’s not sour grapes!
This fight is lame in terms of setting up big welterweight fights. As mentoned above, Kampmann deserves a bigger opponent than this.
by Jeremyjackson on May 20, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Let’s just say that it should be an,eazy fight for the Hitman!
by Alpha Male 360 on May 20, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Update: Kampmann refused to sign for this bout.
Good for him! Give the man an opponent worthy of his place in the UFC hierarchy.
by Jeremyjackson on May 21, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh!And i don’t know if you seen it,but here the
Martin Kampmann Xtreme Couture Lifestyle Workout!!
by Alpha Male 360 on May 21, 2009 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I tend to agree. The first two round I felt were Condit’s. It was a very close fight and I wouldn’t argue to hard either way.
by Shadyone33 on May 20, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s true that this fight makes little to no sense for Martin, nothing to gain & everything to lose, but anyone who thinks Matt Brown would be a better challenger is out to lunch. I understand that alot of people don’t really know who TJ is, but he is a MUCH better fighter than Matt Brown, plain and simple.
by D'man on May 20, 2009 3:46 PM EDT reply actions
That was a close ass fight dude…actually was one of the best fights ive seen this year…Condit is awesome and so is Kampann…but…Martin won!!!
by What? on May 20, 2009 3:55 PM EDT reply actions
i think this is a good fight. i was actually really impressed by grant in his debut and i think he can hang with Martin. TJ could make a nice splash in the division with another win here
by MDR on May 20, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions
In my opinion neither fighter lost that fight it was so close both of them went up in the rankings. Now dman i think if if it going to be a pointless fight which for kampann it is then it might as well be matt brown because he brings it. People ask why kampmann is doing this its called a paycheck. Kampann was injured for awhile and i am sure he needs the money and i sure the ufc will pay him a little more for taking this.
by desperus on May 20, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
They should throw Kampann against the winner of Saunders/Swick or even Hughes, if he wins
by robbyc on May 20, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions
i heard grant was sick in jits, but if condit couldnt pull it off
I say kampman by decision
by phenomenal angel on May 21, 2009 12:11 AM EDT reply actions
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