Matt Hughes unimpressed with Martin Kampmann, call for new broadcaster
Mixed martial arts legend and current top 10 welterweight (170lb) Matt Hughes was among those watching the Ultimate Fighting Championships’ UFC 121 card on Saturday, and he didn’t have high words of praise for either Martin Kampmann or Jake Shields as the two
fought to a split decision win for Shields in a highly publicised co-main event.
Shields had been expected to beat Kampmann handily en route to a title shot, but instead struggled mightily, holding Kampmann on the ground well enough at the beginning, but succumbing to fatigue as the fight went on.
"From a technical view, Kampmann had a terrible fight, in my opinion, he gave the fight to Shields," said Hughes.
But Hughes also had words for UFC colour commentator Joe Rogan, who gushed over Shields’ grappling throughout the first and most of the second round. Rogan is a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu himself and known for his technical knowledge, but Hughes wasn’t
impressed.
"One thing I will say is Joe Rogan's commentary was a little off during the fight. The ground game was pretty even in my book with Shields doing a little more controlling. Kampmann escaped to his feet several times and Kampmann had more submission attempts
than Shields had, but listening to Rogan, you would have thought Shields had submitted him the first 10 seconds of being on the ground,” criticized Hughes.
Hughes’ criticism of both Kampmann and Rogan could have implications for his career. If Hughes is able to get past B.J Penn in his next fight, a fight with Kampmann is a distinct possibility, as both are in the top 10 of the division.
Meanwhile, he called for a shake-up to the long-standing broadcast team of Rogan and play-by-play man Mike Goldberg.
“I really think the UFC could use a third man doing the broadcast, that has some experience inside the Octagon,” wrote Hughes.
Though he didn’t mention it specifically, Hughes might just be angling for a job here. The 37-year-old won’t be fighting forever, and with 52 total fights and with six total UFC welterweight defences, there could hardly be anybody better to fill the role.
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