Swick vs. Kampmann Tapped as Possible Title Eliminator
According to sources contacted by several news outlets yesterday, a welterweight contest between rising contenders Mike Swick and Martin Kampmann has been tapped for UFC 103, which is being targeted for September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. Since both fighters are riding impressive victories in their last few outings, the bout could turn into an unofficial title eliminator with the winner getting a shot at the welterweight title at the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010.
A cast member of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Mike “Quick” Swick (14-2 MMA) ran his UFC record to 5-0 in the middleweight division from 2005-2006 before suffering his first loss in the organization, a Unanimous Decision to powerful Japanese wrestler Yushin Okami at UFC 69 on April 7, 2007. Since that loss, Swick has rebounded with a drop to the welterweight division, where he has rattled off four straight victories over Josh Burkman, Marcus Davis, Jonathan Goulet, and Ben Saunders respectively.
Kampmann (15-2 MMA) also dropped to the welterweight division this year after suffering his first UFC loss at UFC 88 last September by way of first round TKO to powerful middleweight contender Nate Marquardt. Before losing to Marquardt, the technical Dutch kick boxer was 4-0 in the UFC with notable victories over Jorge Rivera and former top middleweight contender Thales Leites. Since dropping to 170lbs, Kampmann has won two straight, the most recent being a close Split Decision over the last reigning WEC Welterweight Champion, Carlos Condit at a UFC Fight Night event in April.
If it comes to fruition, the clash between the two welterweight standouts could be billed as a co-main event, and at the very least will be featured on the main card of UFC 103.
The fight could make for an interesting stylistic match up, as both Swick and Kampmann are comfortable on their feet and on the ground, with Kampmann possibly holding a slight edge in the latter department. Swick is probably the larger of the two fighters, but “The Hitman” has made a habit out of taking out larger foes.
With both fighters possessing proven chins and a willing attitude to engage in all facets of the game, the bout could come down to a matter of precision and conditioning, as this is unlikely to be a one-sided contest.
Swick first reported the possibility of the bout in a video interview conducted with Raw Vegas on MMA Fix yesterday in which the welterweight contender admitted that a hoped-for bout with former welterweight champion Matt Hughes might not come to fruition. Instead, Swick mentioned Kampmann as his next probable opponent, although bout agreements have not been signed at this time.
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The rumored fight card for UFC 103 now stands at four bouts:
- 170lbs. Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann
- 170lbs. Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
- 155lbs. Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
- 155lbs. Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin
First announced by MMAJunkie.
By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer