Duane Ludwig

Duane Paul Ludwig (born August 4, 1978) is an American mixed martial arts coach, retired professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist.

Ludwig formerly held the unofficial fastest knockout record in the UFC after his win against Jonathan Goulet (in 0:06) at UFC Fight Night 3. Ludwig was regarded as a top lightweight in the world during 2003 and 2004, for his victories over Jens Pulver at UCC 12 and Genki Sudo at UFC 42, up until a loss to B.J. Penn at K-1 MMA: Romanex. Ludwig has also received acclaim for his role in the success of Team Alpha Male operating out of Sacramento, California, which is home to numerous highly ranked mixed martial artists who have competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting.

Kickboxing career

Duane started practicing Muay Thai when he was 15 years old. He would have a successful amateur career winning twelve of his fourteen bouts and picking up three IKF International Kickboxing Federation Muay Thai national and regional titles. He turned professional in 2000 when he defeated Terrance Jones at a Ring of Fire event, in what was a rematch from their amateur days. At the end of the year Duane won his first pro title by winning the W.K.A. US national title, which he followed with the I.M.T.C. title the next year. He had his first real challenge in 2001 when he faced world champion Alex Gong for his I.S.K.A. belt at a K-1 event in Las Vegas. The title went the distance with the young Ludwig suffering his first professional defeat. There was some controversy about the decision as some thought that despite a shaky start Ludwig had shaded it.

In 2002 Duane dropped down in weight to 70 kg to take part in a qualifying tournament for the first ever K-1 MAX world final. He won the four man tournament, defeating no. 1 ranked I.K.F. fighter Ole Laursen in the final to book his place to Tokyo. At the finals Ludwig was drawn against home favourite Masato, and despite his best efforts was unable to make the semi-finals, being outclassed by the local fighter over three rounds to lose by unanimous decision. He would get another shot at K-1 MAX glory the following year in Saitama, Japan and went one better, reaching the semi-finals where he lost to 2002 K-1 MAX champion Albert Kraus. In 2004 he won his last Muay Thai title where he finally got his hands on a world title, defeating Thai superstar Malaipet by decision after five rounds to win the I.S.K.A. world title, something Ludwig considers one of his proudest ever moments. The title fight was also notable as the belt had previously been held by Alex Gong - a rematch between him and Ludwig had been on the card since their bout in 2001 but Gong died in 2003. After this victory Duane would become increasingly involved in MMA at the expense of his Kickboxing career, although he would have a number of K-1 fights up until 2006, finishing with a 4-7-1 record with the organization.

Mixed martial arts career Ludwig was trained by Bas Rutten during his early career. Although not an official title match, Ludwig nonetheless beat Jens Pulver, who was at the time ranked as the #1 Lightweight mixed martial artist in the world by many outlets, by first round K.O.

UFC

At UFC 42, Duane Ludwig fought Genki Sudo. Sudo showed his theatrical side, walking backwards towards Ludwig and doing the robot dance before taking him down. Despite the initial domination by Sudo, Ludwig started inflicting damage while standing, avoiding a rolling kneebar and several takedown attempts. Whilst it seemed the momentum had shifted in Ludwig's favor, Sudo came back in the third round and took him down, pounding and bloodying him with punches and elbows. Whilst Ludwig was mounted, referee John McCarthy interrupted and stood the two fighters up. The "doctor's check" allowed Ludwig time to recuperate, while being administered first aid to stop the bleeding in his nose. When the doctor allowed the fight to resume they did not restart from the same previous dominant position held by Sudo. Ludwig took advantage of the indirect rest given to him and avoided the ground and dominated the standup with several hurtful shots on Sudo to win a split decision. Ludwig mocked Sudo after the final bell with a crane kick pose. This eventually led to a rule change that during a doctor's check, fighters will resume the action from the same position where it was halted.

Notorious fast knockout

At UFC Fight Night 3, Ludwig faced Jonathan Goulet. Ludwig won the fight via quick knockout, though many fans disagreed with the timekeeping of the finish, which was 11 seconds despite the referee pulling Ludwig away from Goulet at around the 6 second mark. Following multiple online campaigns to overturn the timekeeping error, on Christmas Eve 2011, UFC President Dana White informed Ludwig that he was being given the official fastest knockout time.

In 2019, Jorge Masvidal beat Ludwig's time with a knockout in five seconds.

Return To UFC On December 17, it was announced that Ludwig was set to return to the UFC at UFC 108, facing Jim Miller, replacing an injured Sean Sherk. He lost to Miller via armbar in the first round.

Ludwig was scheduled to face Spencer Fisher on March 21, 2010, at UFC LIVE: Vera vs. Jones, but Fisher was forced off the card with an injury. Ludwig instead faced UFC newcomer Darren Elkins. Ludwig lost via TKO after he suffered a serious ankle injury during the first round.

Ludwig moved up to the Welterweight Division to face Nick Osipczak on November 13, 2010, at UFC 122. The fight was supposed to be on the preliminary part of the event, but a last minute illness to main card fighter Alessio Sakara moved the bout to the main card. Ludwig scored with strikes, including multiple grazing headkicks in the first round until Osipczak landed a combination, buckling the veteran. The round ended with Osipczak landing ground and pound from the top, bloodying Ludwig. The second round was pretty even with mixed striking exchanges and takedown attempts. The third round saw Ludwig land a big left early on and basically stalk Osipczak the rest of the round, scoring but failing to finish as Osipczak was seemingly out on his feet, walking away from exchanges and covering up. The bout was Ludwig's first since an eight-month recovery from a severe leg injury. Ludwig won by split decision.

Ludwig was expected to face Amir Sadollah on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24, but was unable to fight due to a sternum injury. James Wilks took his place in the match instead.

Ludwig vs. Sadollah eventually took place on August 14, 2011, at UFC on Versus 5. Ludwig won the fight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29–28, 29–28). Ludwig outstruck and rocked Sadollah in both the first and second rounds while also showing greatly improved takedown defense throughout the fight.

Ludwig next faced Josh Neer on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller. Despite hurting Neer on several occasions via punches, Ludwig lost the fight via technical submission in the first round.

Ludwig fought Dan Hardy on May 26, 2012, at UFC 146. Ludwig suffered a knockout loss to Hardy when he was hit by a flush left hook and followed up elbows.

Ludwig faced Che Mills on September 29, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 5. The bout was stopped after Ludwig was unable to continue after tearing a knee ligament while attempting to defend a takedown in the opening round.

After his loss to Mills, Ludwig retired from MMA competition.

From December 2012 to May 2014, Ludwig was the head coach at Team Alpha Male. Ludwig left Team Alpha Male after UFC 173 to focus on growing his own gym, BANG Muay Thai.

Personal life Ludwig and his wife Jessica have three children; one daughter Jade, a son named Duane Jr., on November 10, 2010, and a son named Carter Bas Ludwig born in 2013. Before becoming a professional fighter, Ludwig used to work as an electrician.

Before his move to Colorado, Ludwig previously served as the camp's head coach, where his impact was believed to have had the "missing link" in elevating the team as one of the gold standards for training camps in the world. Ludwig has been voted the Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2014. Ludwig was considered the key element in helping Team Alpha Male win Gym of the Year in 2013 by the World MMA Awards.

BANG Muay Thai Martial Arts System

Ludwig created BANG Muay Thai system (or BMT) which is a Muay Thai system. The philosophy draws upon experience from Ludwig's career and coaches such as Bas Rutten and Trevor Wittman. The system is a striking style which includes Muay Thai, Dutch kickboxing, American boxing and traditional martial arts. Approximately 40 schools teach BMT.

In October 2010, Ludwig opened his own Mixed Martial Arts Academy known as "Ludwig Martial Arts" where he trains fighters such as former UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw and perennial UFC Flyweight contender Joseph Benavidez as well as several others.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC.com Awards 2006: Ranked #8 Knockout of the Year

TKO Major League MMA 2003 U.C.C. World Lightweight Champion Extreme Shoot Fighting 2000 Extreme Shoot Fighting Lightweight Champion Sherdog Awards Fighter of the Year Honorable Mention (2003) Fight of the Year Honorable Mention (2003) vs. Genki Sudo at UFC 42

Kickboxing K-1 K-1 2002 World MAX USA Champion -70 kg International Sport Karate Association I.S.K.A. 2004 Muay Thai Light Middleweight World Champion -72.5 kg World Kickboxing Association W.K.A. 2000 Muay Thai Super Middleweight USA title -76 kg International Kickboxing Federation IKF 1999 Muay Thai Light Middleweight U.S. Amateur Tournament Champion -72.5 kg IKF 1999 Muay Thai Super Middleweight U.S. Amateur Champion -78 kg IKF 1999 Regional Middleweight Muay Thai Champion IKF 1999 Fighter of the Year International Muay Thai Council I.M.T.C. 2001 Muay Thai Super Middleweight North American Champion -76 kg

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Che Mills TKO (knee injury) UFC on Fuel TV: Struve vs. Miocic

Nottingham, England Loss

Dan Hardy KO (punch and elbows) UFC 146

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Josh Neer Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Win

Amir Sadollah Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Nick Osipczak Decision (split) UFC 122

Oberhausen, Germany Loss

Darren Elkins TKO (ankle injury) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Jim Miller Submission (armbar) UFC 108

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ryan Roberts TKO (submission to punches) ROF 36: Demolition

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Lyle Beerbohm Submission (bulldog choke) Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg

Kent, Washington, United States Win

Yves Edwards Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Destruction

San Jose, California, United States Win

Sammy Morgan TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Payback

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Takanori Gomi TKO (doctor stoppage) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku First Battle

Tokyo, Japan Win

Mario Stapel KO (punch) ROF 30: Domination

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Paul Daley TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Baroni

San Jose, California, United States Win

Shinya Kumazawa Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) ROF 28: Evolution

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Tony Fryklund TKO (knees) Strikeforce: Triple Threat

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Josh Thomson Submission (guillotine choke) Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello

Fresno, California, United States Loss

Tyson Griffin TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Revenge

San Jose, California, United States Win

Jason Palacios Submission (armbar) International Freestyle Fighting 1

Fort Worth, Texas, United States Win

Toshikatsu Harada KO (punches) ROF 21: Full Blast

Castle Rock, Colorado, United States Win

Jonathan Goulet KO (punch) UFC Fight Night 3

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Sammy Morgan KO (punches) Ring of Fire 16

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

B.J. Penn Submission (arm-triangle choke) K-1 MMA: Romanex

Saitama, Saitama, Japan Win

Genki Sudo Decision (split) UFC 42

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Jens Pulver KO (punch) UCC 12: Adrenaline

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Win

Thomas Denny TKO (submission to knees) Shogun 1

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Ressen Messer TKO (punches) GC 5: Rumble in the Rockies

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

Charles Bennett TKO (exhaustion) KOTC 10: Critical Mass

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Cesar Moreno KO (punches) GC 4: Collision at Colusa

Colusa, California, United States Loss

Eric Payne Submission (rear-naked choke) ROF 2: Trial By Fire

Denver, Colorado, United States Loss

Kelly Dullanty Decision (unanimous) KOTC 6: Road Warriors

Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States Win

Shad Smith TKO (corner stoppage) KOTC 4: Gladiators

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Jason Maxwell Decision (unanimous) KOTC 3: Knockout Nightmare

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Earl Littlepage TKO (submission to punches) Aspen Slammer

Aspen, Colorado, United States Win

David Ibarra KO (head kick) KOTC 2: Desert Storm

San Jacinto, California, United States Professional kickboxing record

Amateur kickboxing record