Paulo Thiago is not a technically-savvy striker by trade, but he has a resume of big punches that includes impressive wins over Josh Koscheck and Mike Swick. Would he do the same against a better technician in Martin Kampmann?
Kampmann has proven he can be stopped with punches–the big loss to Paul Daley serves as an example. But hoping to work his way back to the top, Kampmann entered the UFC 115: Liddell Franklin fight with focus and determination to leapfrog Thiago in the welterweight rankings.
The result follows:
The fight simply belonged to Kampmann. Thiago’s striking was essentially limited to a very predictable right hand counter, and he thus never endangered Kampmann on his feet. On the ground, Thiago occasionally had control, but the real story was how well Kampmann controlled the body and found advantages (and submission holds) against the fighter who was billed as the more superior ground fighter.
Ultimately, Kampmann cruised to a decision victory.
Martin Kampmann b. Paulo Thiago via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)