Howard Wants ‘Striking War’ with Kampmann, Then Johnson

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John Howard is complimentary of Martin Kampmann’s striking skills, but he hopes to test them when they meet June 26 at UFC Live 4.

“My whole strategy is to basically have a striking war and just hit him,” Howard said recently on the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “I think he has real good striking. His technique’s perfect, but I don’t think he has the same quality of power as I do. I think he might hit me a few times, but if I hit him a few times, he’s going out.”

Kampmann’s style reminds Howard of a previous foe in Chris Wilson. Howard edged out Wilson in a January 2009 bout that won “Fight of the Night” at UFC 94.

“Real technical, real smooth,” he said of Kampmann’s game. “Real accurate punching, not too aggressive, not too lazy. Just right timing and everything -- that’s his style. When I fought Chris Wilson, every time he came into my range, I just hit him and punished him. I kind of see this fight going like that. Once he comes into my range, I’m going to hit him as hard as possible and try to break something in the process.”

Win or lose Howard still wants a shot at Anthony Johnson, who is also on the card in a main event matchup against Nate Marquardt.

“That fight’s going to have to happen some way, somehow,” Howard said. “I just hope it happens in the UFC. If it doesn’t happen in the UFC, it might happen in the street and you all might miss it.”

Howard is hoping both he and Johnson get by their opponents so they can meet in the Octagon. They have traded barbs for a couple of years now.

“I really cannot stand that kid,” Howard said. “I know he can’t stand me, but I really can’t stand him. I’m so sick of him, it’s not even funny. He just portrays like he’s a big, hardcore guy. He’s really not. I’m starting to question if he’s even from the streets. Actually I made a joke to one of my friends. He was like, ‘Yeah, he comes like this big black guy, this big tough guy.’ I know white kids more blacker than him. He’s not as hardcore as he thinks. I’m from the streets. … Now am I proud of that? No, obviously I’m not. Obviously I turned my luck around and did something positive. But where I come from, people know me. And trust me, I did my fair share of street justice. I don’t think he realizes he’s not like that. That’s not his mentality. That’s not his attitude. He tries to come off that way, but he’s not. He’s just not.”

With all of his animosity for Johnson, it may seem that Howard isn’t concentrating on Kampmann. He says that’s not an issue.

“It doesn’t take my focus off Kampmann,” Howard said. “Me and Kampmann’s going to be a good fight. I don’t have personal beef. What we do is a business. I think he’s a tough opponent. I think he’s going to be a hell of a fight.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 51:35).