In the latest addition to a stacked UFC 111 card, exciting welterweight contenders Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann and Ben “Killa B” Saunders will square off in a pivotal showdown. MMAWeekly.com first reported on the fight, which will be part of the event’s pay-per-view main card.
With both fighters coming off of impressive stoppage victories, a win for either could put the victor one step closer to a potential title shot against UFC Welterweight Champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre, who will defend his crown against Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy in the night’s main event.
Kampmann (16-3-0) was one step away from a shot at St. Pierre until he ran into the fists of British knockout artist Paul “Semtex” Daley at UFC 103. Not to be deterred, Kampmann rebounded with an impressive first-round submission victory over Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann at UFC 108, but admitted after the fight that he had not been at his best in the striking exchanges. Against Saunders, Kampmann will have to be at the top of his game.
Saunders (8-1-2) also had to battle back after a tough loss to Mike “Quick” Swick at UFC 99, but did so in dominant fashion with a first-round knockout of “The Irish Hand Grenade” Marcus Davis at UFC 106. Known for his devastating Muay Thai and vicious knees – which he used to brutally dispatch of Davis – Saunders has emerged as a legitimate threat in the division and is one of the fastest-rising stars at 170 pounds. A victory over Kampmann would be huge for the 26-year-old.
UFC 111 also features a pair of title fights, as the aforementioned Georges “Rush” St. Pierre defends his UFC Welterweight Championship against Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy, while former champion Frank Mir battles Shane Carwin for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship. Should Mir be victorious, it would mark the second time that he has held the interim belt.
Elsewhere on the main card, former title challengers Thiago “Pitbull” Alves and Jon Fitch will square off for a second time in a crucial welterweight contest that could determine a number one contender. The event takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on March 27th and airs live on pay-per-view.
(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)