Brawl pays off for Kampmann, Sanchez
Posted March 4, 2011 12:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The UFC has dug into its pocket to reward welterweights Diego (The Dream) Sanchez and Martin (The Hitman) Kampmann for their bloody battle on a UFC Live card.
Both men got an extra US$160,000 for fight of the night Thursday after UFC president Dana White kicked in another $100,000 on top of the $60,000 bonus.
Both fighters were cut and Sanchez’s lumpy face was a mask of blood by the time the mixed martial arts fight ended.
“I love these guys. What a war! Great night for ufc,” tweeted UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, who was sitting cageside.
The judges scored the main event 29-28 for Sanchez, leaving Kampmann to walk away in disgust.
The debate over who won continued into the night, although White was quick to offer his post-fight opinion.
“Diego won that fight for sure! Wow!!!” he said via Twitter.
“Tough fight to call… but I had Diego 2-1, same as judges,” said lightweight Joe Lauzon.
“Great job and showing of heart by Diego ‘The Dream’ Sanchez,” said Vegas-based Canadian trainer Shawn Tompkins.
Others had a different view.
“I don’t know what fight the judges were watching but Kampmann won that fight,” tweeted lightweight Anthony Njokuani.
“Wow, Kampmann just got robbed on live tv, I must be dreaming cause that just didn’t happen.” said former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres.
“Were the judges of the sanchez v kampmann fight smoking crystal meth, lol,” added lightweight Andre Winner.
“I like Martin for the win but DS fought hard,” said middleweight Brad Tavares.
“Sanchez has heart for days but Kampmann won that fight 30-27,” said featherweight Kenny Florian.
“Watched the fight again I thought MartinKampmann won better striking and he stuffed all shots but one. Great fight though,” said lightweight Evan Dunham.
“I had kampmann…just saying,” echoed former WEC lightweight title-holder Ben Henderson.
Former UFC heavyweight and light-heavyweight champion Randy (The Natural) Couture, who trains with Kampmann, also went for the Las Vegas-based Dane.
“Judges scored activity over accomplishment in the kampman fight ! 1st and 3rd to kampmann! Classy performance win or lose. Nice work MK!”
Kampmann did his tweeting from hospital.
“At ER, waiting forever to get my hand X-ray and my cut stitched up. Very disappointed, I really thought I won that fight.”
Lightweight Shane Roller earned $40,000 for knockout of the night in felling Thiago Tavares, and former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles picked up $40,000 for submission of the night for choking out Damacio Page.
