TUF Live Finale: Martin Kampmann vs. Johny Hendricks Head to Toe Breakdown

Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre hasn’t competed inside the Octagon since April of 2011, and due to a torn ACL suffered late last year, he likely won’t compete until November at the earliest.

What does this have to do with a fight between Johny Hendricks and Martin Kampmann? Simply put, everything.

Both Hendricks and Kampmann feel they are ready for a shot at a UFC title, but with GSP on the sidelines and interim champion Carlos Condit content with waiting until St-Pierre's return in order to unify the belts, it could mean a full year out of action for both Hendricks and Kampmann if they decide to wait for a shot at the champ.

A bout between the two makes too much sense not to book, and it seems like the UFC is going to set up the fight sooner rather than later.

Striking

Johny Hendricks is one of the powerful fighters in the UFC’s welterweight division, and after taking out two of the welterweight division’s top contenders in Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck his confidence in his striking has to be at an all time high.

But despite all of his power, Hendricks may not want to get into a striking battle with Kampmann.

“The Hitman” is one of the most technical strikers in the division, and while there were questions about his ability to finish on the feet for a while, I think those will be put to rest after Kampmann took out iron-chinned Jake Ellenberger.

There’s always a chance that Hendricks could land that big punch and put Kampmann away, but overall the advantage on the feet is going to go to the Dane.

Wrestling

There’s no doubt who has the edge here.

Hendricks is an accomplished collegiate wrestler and has used it to his advantage throughout his UFC career.

If Hendricks wants to put the superior striker in Kampmann on his back, he shouldn’t have too many problems, and if he decides to keep it standing he can use his wrestling in reverse to remain upright.

Kampmann has decent wrestling, and even took down Jake Shields a few times when they fought at UFC 121, but Hendricks is a different animal in this department and “The Hitman” won’t be able to stop it if Hendricks wants to put him on his back.

Submission

While Hendricks has the edge in the wrestling, he’s going to want to be very careful if he decides to take Kampmann down.

With a submission of the night win on his resume and five total wins by tap out in his UFC career, Kampmann is one of the more dangerous fighters on the ground in the entire welterweight division.

Kampmann’s come-from-behind submission win over Thiago Alves showed how dangerous he can be at any point in the fight, and his sneaky chokes could spell trouble for a wrestler like Hendricks.

While Hendricks has never been submitted in his MMA career, he also hasn’t shown that he has the ability to tap guys out on the ground, having won only one fight by submission in 14 career fights.

The obvious edge goes to Kampmann here, but it may not mean anything if Hendricks can negate the submissions with his wrestling.

Final Prediction

This is a close fight between two complete fighters, but the edge goes to Kampmann.

He has come in as a bit of an underdog his last two fights and proved that he should never be counted out, but I have a feeling he is going to be looked over once again when he fights Hendricks.

Kampmann could get finished with punches early or taken down and beaten up, but he’s proved that he is always in a fight and eventually Hendricks will make a mistake on the mat and be forced to tap out.

Winner: Martin Kampmann by 2^nd Round Submission (Guillotine)