UFC 139: Breaking Down Martin Kampmann vs. Rick Story

This Saturday, two of the more prominent fighters in the welterweight division will square off in an ultimate battle of will at UFC 139.

Martin Kampmann (17-5) vs. Rick Story (13-4), two fighters respectively on the verge of a future No. 1 contender bout, could emerge as the most entertaining showdown on a pay-per-view card featuring "Shogun" Rua vs. Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva vs. Cung Le, Uriah Faber vs. Brian Bowles and Ryan Bader vs. Jason Brilz.

Each fighter comes into this bout with the ability to KO his opponent.

Kampmann, riding a two-fight losing streak (got absolutely robbed against Diego Sanchez!), will ultimately try to keep this fight on the feet in order to use his dynamic kickboxing skills.

Story, who has stood and banged with the likes of Thiago Alves and Johny Hendricks, will ultimately try to take Kampmann down and use his vicious ground game to end the fight.

At this point in their careers, in the midst of a huge youth shift in the UFC, both fighters could be on their last legs as far as starting a win streak that could end in capturing welterweight gold.

Here is a quick breakdown of Kampmann vs. Story, from striking to clinching and wrestling to jiu-jitsu.

Boxing

Kampmann

Martin Kampmann is simply the more polished and precise striker, as well as one of the best boxers in the division.

He has stood with some of the most proficient welterweight strikers, including Paulo Thiago and Carlos Condit.

Rick Story does possess some serious power in his punches, but the 27-year-old is more of a brawler, while Kampmann could opt to sit back and pick apart a shorter opponent.

MMA isn't really a numbers game considering anyone can win on a given night, but Kampmann has landed seven percent more strikes in his career than Story.

Just food for thought, but Kampmann gets the easy nod here anyways.

Kicking

Kampmann

Once again Martin Kampmann's experienced stand-up game reigns supreme over Rick Story's aggressiveness.

Kampmann is one of the best kick-boxers at 170 lbs., and Saturday will prove that a deadly combination of striking could put an end to the hungry Story.

The only problem that could force Kampmann's kicking into the backseat of his arsenal would be the excellent wrestling and takedown offense of Story.

If the 30-year-old Kampmann decides to stand and try to kick Story's head off, the fight could end up on the ground in a blink of an eye.

Grappling

Story

Rick Story is a very aggressive fighter.

He tends to use his wrestling and grappling skills to wear guys down and pepper them with heavy elbows and other useful KO tools.

For this fight, assuming Kampmann is going to keep the fight standing, Story could be given the opportunity to clinch with the Dane.  If so, Story's low center of gravity and non-stop pace could ultimately force Kampmann into a deep hole.

The only advantage Kampmann possesses over Story in the grappling aspect of this fight in his high knees.

However, considering Story will try to use his wrestling and short punches to frustrate Kampmann up close, it's fair to say that Kampmann should avoid any sort of grappling.

Submissions

Kampmann

This is one of the more lopsided aspects of the fight.

Martin Kampmann is far and beyond Rick Story in the submission department.

Consider it a matter of jiu-jitsu vs. wrestling.

Regardless, Kampmann has ended four fights in his UFC career via submission, including a Submission of the Night victory over Drew McFedries at UFC 68.  Story has none.

That's just not the type of fighter he his.

While the kid does possess the ability to use his wrestling, grab the back of Kampmann and sink in a rear-naked choke, it's very unlikely.

Chalk this one up to Kampmann.

Wrestling

Story

Similar to Martin Kampmann's superior submission techniques, this one easily goes to Rick Story.

Story is a very solid wrestler, especially when he's scrambling and grabbing anything he can.

While his fights with Charlie Brenneman and Johny Hendricks were fairly even in the wrestling department, Story's four takedowns of Thiago Alves at UFC 130 proved that he's able to wrestle any welterweight to the canvas.

As mentioned before, Kampmann is surely looking to keep this fight on the feet, leaving holes and opportunities for Story to shoot and bring it to the ground.

Ground Game

Story

Let's tie this one into the last slide.

If Rick Story does in fact take Martin Kampmann to the ground, which is very likely to happen at least once, the fight could very well end with Story's hand raised.

The fact of the matter is that Story possesses some of the most vicious ground and pound skills in the division, using powerful elbows and a compact frame to keep his opponent on the ground.

Kampmann is no slouch on his back, but he has never really flourished on what's supposed to be an "underrated" ground game.

One way or the other, considering that Story has successfully recorded at least two takedowns in every fight in his UFC career, and seems to have an advantage when doing so, Kampmann should want no part of the 27-year-old's array of bows.

Experience and Heart

Draw

This one's a draw.

Both Martin Kampmann and Rick Story have the experience and heart to win this fight.

Kampmann has faced a more diverse group of talented fighters, but Story has proven that no matter what the circumstances, he comes to brawl.

Come Saturday, in a battle of striker vs. wrestler, both fighters need to have their minds focused and in tune with their sound game plans.

Fight Verdict

Kampmann via 3rd-Round TKO

Personally, Martin Kampmann is one of my five favorite fighters.

He's a kick-boxing specialist from Denmark who's game whenever the cage door shuts.

But with all bias aside, I truly believe Kampmann is ready to win this fight.

Rick Story has some serious skills on the ground and could no doubt end this fight with one powerful punch, but Kampmann is too patient on his feet to get caught by a howitzer.

With all of that said, I also believe these two guys can put on a show that captures Fight of the Night honors.

Neither fighter can afford another loss in the division, especially Kampmann who hasn't fought since losing a close decision to Diego Sanchez back in March, so the hunger to win and earn a future No. 1 contender fight seems too realistic for either guy to pass up.

But based on skill, experience and game planning, Kampmann should be able to strike his way to a victory if he can keep this fight on his feet.