Kampmann attacks Pitbull. Photo: UFC.
The UFC returned to Australia this Friday with an evening of novelties, knockouts and submissions. In the main event of the evening, Brazil’s Thiago Pitbull ended up tapping out in the third round to Denmark’s Martin Kampmann in a decisive welterweight affair. But the big waves were made before then, with the UFC debuting its fledgling flyweight division with a four-man tournament. In the two under-125 lb (57 kg) bouts, Joseph Benavidez outdid Yasuhiro Urushitani and will now await a rematch between Demetrious Johnson and Ian MacCall to find out who he’ll be facing in an eventual title showdown.
In the card’s headliner, Alves started out the better, pushing the pace standing and showing octagon control, until Kampmann landed a potent kick to the Brazilian’s head, shortly thereafter taking Thiago down and pressing him against the fencing. But Alves worked his way back to his feet and then landed a takedown of his own on the Danish fighter, and controlled the action with ground and pound until the round ended.
The first half of the second round was another standup firefight. Landing the more powerful blows, Pitbull looked to be in control of the fight. In the third round, Kampmann put his greater reach to work and, controlling the range, for the first time managed to get the better of the striking action. Towards the end of regulation time, after a fierce striking exchange, Pitbull shot for a takedown but saw his neck fall prey to a snug guillotine from Kampmann. It would be Pitbull’s fourth loss in six fights.
“I was doing well. Of course Thiago was landing really hard shots. I tried using my boxing more, but I couldn’t get my game to click. I didn’t really look for a submission, since I know his ground game is good too. At that moment, I could see there was an opportunity to finish him, and that’s what I did,” stated Kampmann, who now awaits a shot at the welterweight belt. “I’ll face anyone.”
Check out the complete results:
Martin Kampmann submitted Thiago Pitbull via guillotine at 4:12 min of R3;
Joseph Benavidez knocked out Yasuhiro Urushitani at 0:11 min of R2;
Demetrious Johnson defeated Ian McCall via split decision;
Constantinos Philippou defeated Court McGee via unanimous decision;
James The Huna knocked out Aaron Rosa at 2:08 min of R1;
Antonhy Perosh knocked out Nick Penner at 4:59 min of R1;
Steven Siler defeated Cole Miller via unanimous decision;
Andrew Craig defeated Kyle Noke via unanimous decision;
TJ Waldburger submitted Jake Hecht via armbar 0:55 min of R1;
Daniel Pineda submitted Mackens Semerzier via armbar at 2:05 min of R1;
Shawn Jordan knocked out Oli Thompson at 3:53 of R2.
