36 Facts About Duane Ludwig

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

Duane Ludwig has 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.

Duane Ludwig started practicing Muay Thai when he was 15 years old.

Duane Ludwig 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.

Duane Ludwig turned professional in 2000 when he defeated Terrance Jones at a Ring of Fire event, in what was a rematch from their amateur days.

The title went the distance with the young Duane Ludwig suffering his first professional defeat.

In 2002 Duane Ludwig dropped down in weight to 70 kg to take part in a qualifying tournament for the first ever K-1 MAX world final.

At the finals Duane 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.

Duane Ludwig 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.

The title fight was notable as the belt had previously been held by Alex Gong - a rematch between him and Duane Ludwig had been on the card since their bout in 2001 but Gong died in 2003.

Duane Ludwig was trained by Bas Rutten during his early career.

Sudo showed his theatrical side, walking backwards towards Duane Ludwig and doing the robot dance before taking him down.

Whilst Duane Ludwig was taking a beating, referee John McCarthy interrupted and stood the two fighters up to check on Duane Ludwig's nose.

Duane Ludwig took advantage of the indirect rest given to him and avoided, with the aid of the referee's decision, the unfavorable position that he was in.

Duane Ludwig dominated the end of the fight landing hurtful shots on Sudo to win a split decision.

Duane Ludwig mocked Sudo after the final bell with a crane kick pose.

Duane 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 Duane Ludwig away from Goulet at around the 6 second mark.

Duane Ludwig's knockout was timed at 6.06 seconds, compared to Chan Sung Jung's knockout at 6.26 seconds and Todd Duffee's knockout at 7.56 seconds.

Duane Ludwig lost to Miller via armbar in the first round.

Duane 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.

Duane Ludwig lost via TKO after he suffered a serious ankle injury during the first round.

Duane Ludwig moved up to the Welterweight Division to face Nick Osipczak on November 13,2010, at UFC 122.

Duane Ludwig scored with strikes, including multiple grazing headkicks in the first round until Osipczak landed a combination, buckling the veteran.

Duane 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.

Duane Ludwig won the fight via unanimous decision.

Duane Ludwig next faced Josh Neer on January 20,2012, at UFC on FX: Guillard vs Miller.

Duane Ludwig fought Dan Hardy on May 26,2012, at UFC 146.

Duane Ludwig suffered a knockout loss to Hardy when he was hit by a flush left hook and followed up elbows.

Duane Ludwig faced Che Mills on September 29,2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 5.

The bout was stopped after Duane Ludwig was unable to continue after tearing a knee ligament while attempting to defend a takedown in the opening round.

From December 2012 to May 2014, Duane Ludwig was the head coach at Team Alpha Male.

Duane Ludwig left Team Alpha Male after UFC 173 to focus on growing his own gym, BANG Muay Thai.

Duane Ludwig has been voted the Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

Duane Ludwig was considered the key element in helping Team Alpha Male win Gym of the Year in 2013 by the World MMA Awards.

Duane Ludwig created BANG Muay Thai system which is a Muay Thai system.

In October 2010, Duane Ludwig opened his own Mixed Martial Arts Academy known as "Duane 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.