UFC welterweight Kampmann tries to balance brawn, brains

Perhaps it’s the fact that Martin Kampmann is now married, with all the responsibilities that come with starting a family. Maybe it’s that he turns 30 today and knows the career of a mixed martial arts fighter comes with no guarantees.

Whatever the reason, the perennial Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight contender knows he’s not the same fighter as when he began his professional MMA career in 2003 at age 20.

“I think when I started fighting it was just for the fun of it, and it’s different now. It’s the way I make my living,” Kampmann said. “I think I have way more skills now, but back in the day I fought kinda crazy. Now I’m trying to fight smart, and I think sometimes that’s not the best way to fight. I fight best when I don’t think at all, when I just go out and fight.”

No matter which philosophy Kampmann uses, he’s usually been successful. The Las Vegan has won consecutive fights, after losing back-to-back controversial decisions, to work his way back into title contention.

In fact, Kampmann would have a six-fight winning streak if not for those dubious losses to Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez. He could earn a long-awaited shot at the welterweight belt with a win over Jake Ellenberger in the main event of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15 finale card at the Palms on June 1.

Maintaining mental focus appears to be a central theme for Kampmann these days. He said he feels himself getting better in the gym, but has been frustrated by not being able to perform to his full potential in the cage. He began his career as a feared striker, but has gone eight fights without a knockout victory.

“I feel I’m a better fighter all the time. I think I improve every fight. I could beat my ass a year ago,” he said. “My main focus is putting it together in the octagon, and I don’t think I’ve shown my best yet.

“I think it’s all just a matter of coming in with the right mindset.”

Kampmann hopes he can finally do that against Ellenberger, a surging star in the division. The winner would be the logical next opponent for either interim champion Carlos Condit or longtime champ Georges St. Pierre.

Condit and St. Pierre are expected to fight in November, provided St. Pierre is fully recovered from ACL surgery. Should Kampmann earn that right by beating Ellenberger, he’s unsure whether he would wait out that opportunity or fight in the interim.

What he is sure about is taking a trip to his native Denmark after the fight. It’s no mistake he will be going home during the brutally hot Las Vegas summer.

“It’s the best time to be in Denmark and the worst time to be in Las Vegas,” he said with a laugh.

■ UFC 145 PREDICTION — In advance of the main-event title bout between light heavyweights Rashad Evans and champion Jon Jones at UFC 145 on Saturday in Atlanta, the organization assembled a list of opinions from every light heavyweight champion it has ever had.

Most fighters avoided making an actual prediction, but Frank Shamrock feels Jones will survive a stiff test.

“This will be a fight that will not end as easily and devastatingly as Jones’ others have, but rather one of those moments in his career where he’ll have to pull himself up and battle until the final bell,” Shamrock said. “In the end, this fight will help Jon become a better fighter and a better champion, and will endear himself to fans for years to come.”

■ BELLATOR 66 — Former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez finally gets a chance to avenge his 2008 loss to Japanese star Shinya Aoki when the two meet in the main event of Bellator 66 in Cleveland on Friday night.

The event, which also features the semifinals of the season’s lightweight and middleweight tournaments, will air live on MTV2 (Cox 372) at 5 p.m.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.