Introduction
Martin Kampmann was one of the most technically gifted welterweights of his era — a Danish striker trained in Copenhagen who produced two of the most celebrated single-fight finishes in UFC welterweight history: the Dan Hardy standing guillotine choke and the Carlos Condit fourth-round TKO that still stands as one of the best late-round comebacks at 170 lb. Kampmann passed away on February 11, 2023 at the age of 39, following a courageous battle with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer. This profile is written in memory of The Hitman.
Quick Stats
Full Name: Martin Kampmann
Nickname: The Hitman
Born: November 10, 1983 (Aarhus, Denmark)
Died: February 11, 2023 (age 39) — glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer)
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight Class: Welterweight (170 lb)
Pro Record: 20-8-0 (9 KO, 6 SUB, 5 DEC)
UFC Career Record: 11-7 across 18 UFC fights
Nationality: Danish — most decorated Danish welterweight in UFC history
Background
Martin Kampmann was born on November 10, 1983 in Aarhus, Denmark — Scandinavia's second-largest city and home to a vibrant MMA community. He started training martial arts as a teenager in Aarhus and developed into one of Denmark's most technically accomplished welterweights. The professional MMA debut came in 2005. The early European and regional career produced a 10-1 record before the UFC contract arrived in 2007.
The UFC debut produced immediate contender-level results. Early wins over Alexandre Barros and Drew McFedries, followed by a victory over Nate Marquardt, established Kampmann as a top-ten welterweight. The Dan Hardy standing guillotine choke finish and the Carlos Condit fourth-round comeback TKO — the two most celebrated single-fight moments of his career — came in 2011-2012. Losses to Johny Hendricks (twice), Rory MacDonald, and Rick Story defined the ceiling of the Kampmann era, but the technical quality of his best performances earned him lasting respect within the MMA community.
Kampmann was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer in 2019. He fought the illness with the same courage he brought to the cage, and the MMA community rallied around him across his final years. He passed away on February 11, 2023, aged 39. The outpouring of tributes from UFC fighters, coaches, and fans reflected the depth of respect earned across 18 years of professional competition.
Fighting Style
Kampmann's style was the most technically precise combination-striking approach in Danish MMA history. The Hitman nickname reflected a precision-over-power philosophy: controlled setups, technical combinations, and exceptional submission entries from standing positions. The standing guillotine that finished Dan Hardy and the fourth-round TKO of Carlos Condit both emerged from this systematic approach — Kampmann never looked for the big single punch but consistently built to finishes through accumulated technical pressure. The submission game (6 career submissions including the Hardy guillotine) complemented the striking to produce a genuinely dual-threat finishing portfolio.
Career Highlights
UFC on Fuel TV 2 — Kampmann def. Carlos Condit, TKO R4 (March 3, 2012)
The most celebrated single-fight moment of Kampmann's career. Carlos Condit — the interim UFC Welterweight Champion at the time — was stopped by Kampmann via fourth-round TKO in one of the most dramatic late-round reversals in UFC welterweight history. Condit had dominated the opening rounds; Kampmann's resilience and systematic technical pressure produced the comeback finish.
UFC 135 — Kampmann def. Dan Hardy, Sub R2 (September 24, 2011)
Dan Hardy — the former UFC Welterweight title challenger — was submitted by Kampmann via standing guillotine in the second round. The technical execution of the guillotine from standing was the most celebrated submission entry of Kampmann's career.
UFC on Fox 7 — Hendricks def. Kampmann, KO R1 (April 20, 2013)
Johny Hendricks knocked out Kampmann in the first round to earn a title shot against Georges St-Pierre. The KO confirmed that against elite-level power strikers, Kampmann's chin was vulnerable. Hendricks-Kampmann is cited as the fight that established Hendricks as the most feared left-hand puncher at welterweight.
Championships and Title Reigns
UFC Welterweight Championship: Never won — no formal title shot
Performance Bonuses: Multiple — Submission of the Night (Hardy), Fight of the Night
Notable Wins: Carlos Condit, Dan Hardy, Nate Marquardt, Alexandre Barros, Drew McFedries
Fun Facts
• Born in Aarhus, Denmark — the most decorated Danish UFC welterweight in history.
• The Carlos Condit fourth-round comeback TKO at UFC on Fuel TV 2 remains one of the most celebrated late-round reversals in UFC welterweight history.
• Passed away on February 11, 2023 at age 39 following a battle with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer diagnosed in 2019.
• The MMA community's tributes following his passing reflected the depth of respect earned across his career — from UFC President Dana White to numerous UFC fighters past and present.
Legacy and Verdict
Martin Kampmann's legacy is the most technically accomplished Danish MMA career in history and one of the most respected welterweight careers of the post-Serra era. The Carlos Condit TKO and the Dan Hardy guillotine are the permanent highlight-reel entries; the 11 UFC wins, the top-five welterweight rankings, and the two-decade professional career form a credential portfolio that the Danish MMA community rightly regards with enormous pride. He passed away as the most beloved Danish UFC athlete in the sport's history, and the tributes across the MMA world confirmed how deeply he was respected by everyone who competed alongside him.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Martin Kampmann pass away?
Martin Kampmann passed away on February 11, 2023, at the age of 39, following a battle with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer that he was diagnosed with in 2019.
What was Martin Kampmann's most famous fight?
His most celebrated fight was the UFC on Fuel TV 2 comeback TKO of Carlos Condit in the fourth round on March 3, 2012 — one of the greatest late-round reversals in UFC welterweight history.
What is Martin Kampmann's professional record?
Kampmann's final professional record was 20-8-0 (9 KO, 6 SUB, 5 DEC). UFC career record 11-7 across 18 UFC fights.