Martin Kampmann interested in replacing 'Bang' Ludwig at Team Alpha Male
The search for a new head coach at Team Alpha Male is still ongoing, but a longtime top 10 welterweight recently threw his hat in the ring and may land the job.
Martin Kampmann, who hasn't fought since September 2013 and has openly talked about taking a break from competition, recently traveled to Sacramento to help lead team practices in an audition of sorts to possibly snag the head coaching job vacated by Duane 'Bang' Ludwig, who will exit the camp after UFC 173 in May.
According to Team Alpha Male captain Urijah Faber, Kampmann actually reached out to him with a letter expressing interest in the job and they brought him earlier this week where he ran practices for a few days.
"Guy is really knowledgeable," Faber told UFC Tonight. "Ran a great practice (Tuesday)."
Kampmann is the first fighter they've considered for the coaching job following Ludwig's decision to leave the team earlier this month.
TJ Dillashaw, who is preparing for his title fight against Renan Barao later this month, said Kampmann was a great addition to the team in the few days he worked with them. While he still intends on working with Ludwig regardless of him relocating to Colorado, Dillashaw was impressed with Kampmann's experience in every facet of the game.
"He's a very well rounded MMA artist," Dillashaw told FOX Sports. "Not only is he showing us good standup, but his wrestling's legit, his jiu-jitsu's legit. He's been around the game so it's cool to learn from someone who has so much knowledge."
Kampmann is the first coach the team has brought in thus far in their search for someone to replace Ludwig, so there's no word on whether he will be the only one tested or if more names will be considered.
Sources close to the situation informed FOX Sports that Kampmann is definitely serious about the job, and has taken on a lot of coaching duties since his last fight against Carlos Condit in 2012. Kampmann was already a part-time coach while working at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, but now it appears he's thinking of this as his future in the sport.
With Ludwig's exit expected at the end of the month, Team Alpha Male will likely move towards making a decision on his replacement sooner rather than later.
