UFC 115 Preview: Paulo Thiago (13-1-0) vs. Martin Kampmann (16-3-0)

Welterweight bout:

 Paulo Thiago (13-1-0)

vs.

 Martin Kampmann (16-3-0)

Fight Style:

Thiago – Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Kampmann – Muay Thai, Submission Wrestling

* CLICK HERE TO SEE A PREVIEW AND PREDICTION FOR LIDDELL vs FRANKLIN *

Thiago				Kampmann
14 fights	13W	1L		19 fights	16W	3L
By knockout	2	0		By knockout	7	3
By submission	8	0		By submission	6	0
By decision	3	1		By decision	3	0

Paulo Thiago is a Brazilian mixed martial artist listed by both Sherdog.com and MMAWeekly.com as a top 10 fighter in the Welterweight division. Thiago debuted in Storm Samurai in 2005 and beat Ricardo Petrucio via triangle choke followed by three fights in Grand Prix Planaltina, winning all three by submission.

His next two fights were in two different organizations and yet again submission victories. At this point, JungleFights signed Thiago and he went on to compete in four bouts with the organization winning all four matches (two decisions, one submission and his first TKO).

The UFC had certainly taken notice of Thiago’s 10-0 record and signed him to a contract. Many thought that the reason he’d faired so well in his first ten professional fights was because he fought only in his homeland of Brazil and that 90 percent of his fights were against fellow Brazilians (similar to Rory MacDonald from Canada).

Well, in his octagon debut at UFC 95, he silenced all critics with a knock-out of the night performance delivered via uppercut to Josh Koscheck at 3:29 of round one (yeah, the same Koscheck who is now the #1 contender and upcoming ‘TUF’ coach).

At UFC 100, Thiago suffered his first loss as a professional when he faced Jon Fitch, but the fight occured after the main event due to time constraints, which could throw off any fighter.

Since, Thiago has rebounded with back-to-back victories over Jacob Volkman at UFC 106 (unanimous decision) and after ‘Kos’ pulled out of their rematch (hmm, I wonder why), Thiago submitted Mike Swick in the second round at UFC 109.

Paulo Thiago is the real deal and should honestly be fighting for the belt against GSP… the problem is, it wouldn’t sell as Dana White had bluntly stated ‘The Ultimate Fighter: Season 12′ will be USA vs. Canada. Expect Thiago to beat Kampmann like a red-headed step-child.

Martin ‘The Hitman’ Kampmann reigns from Denmark and has a record of 16-3 with a variety of outcomes in his victories (seven knockouts, six submissions, three decisions).

All his losses have come via knockout as he’s never been submitted or lost by the judges cards. It’s a good thing for Kampmann he isn’t fighting a Welterweight with heavy hands but Thiago still outmatches Kampmann in every category once this fight goes to the mat… and it will.

Regardless if Kampmann is a submission wrestler or not, he doesn’t have the brazilian jiu jitsu skills that Thiago does and it will be evident come June 12th.

Prior to the UFC, Kampmann went 9-1 in organizations such as Viking Fight, XFC, M-1, King of the Cage, Cage Warriors as well as many others. After traveling from Denmark, to Sweden, to England, to Russia and lastly, the United States, Kampmann has finally been able to stay put in North America with the contract he signed with the UFC.

‘The Hitman’ debuted in 2006 at UFC Fight Night 6 and beat Crafton Wallace via unanimous decision followed by a rear naked choke submission victory over Thales Leites at the TUF: Season 4 Finale.

Kampmann had back-to-back victories over Drew McFedries and Jorge Rivera (both submissions) before suffering his first loss in the octagon against Nate Marquadt, getting knocked out early in the first round.

Kampmann bounced back with wins at UFC 93 over Alexandre Barros before he headlined UFC Fight Night 18 and beat Carlos Condit.

In his most recent action, Kampmann got knocked out by Paul ‘SuckerPunch’ Daley  before submitting Jacob Volkmann.

He has a lot of wins in the UFC, but no one he has beat is on the same skill level as Thiago and when they touch gloves in Vancouver, Kampmann will be in over his head.

TheCoach’s Pick: THIAGO via DECISION