Duane Ludwig Youtube Videos
Duane Ludwig Bio
Duane Paul Ludwig (born August 4, 1978) is an American Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He is the former Middleweight Muay Thai world champion, and currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championships in their welterweight and lightweight divisions. He holds the official fastest knockout record in the UFC after his win against Jonathan Goulet.
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 being handing 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 the a world title, defeating Thai Mongkhon Wiwasuk 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
Duane started practicing Muay Thai when he was 15 years old. Ludwig was trained by Bas Rutten during his early career.
Unofficial fastest knockout in the UFC
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. Two days later, Keith Kizer and the Nevada State Athletic Commission denied that Ludwig would be given the record, with Kizer stating: "There's no legal avenue to overturn it" before going on to say "I timed it myself with a stopwatch. It was eight seconds. Officially, it's got to stay at 11 seconds, but unofficially, it could be at eight." Two days later, Dana White, along with his production crew posted a video to YouTube showing the times of UFC fights that hold the "Fastest Knockout" tag. 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. As of December 2011, the official Athletic Commission record of Ludwig's fight is 11 seconds but the UFC regards Ludwig's fight as the fastest knockout. As of January 19, 2012 Ludwig holds the record for fastest KO at 6.06 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 Jim 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.
Personal life
Duane and his wife have one daughter. The couple had their second child, a son named Duane Jr., on November 9, 2010. In October 2010 Duane opened his flagship Muay Thai/Mixed Martial Arts School, "BANG Muay Thai Inc." at 303 Training Center in Westminster, CO
Championships and accomplishments
Professional American and Thai Kickboxing
- 2004 I.S.K.A. Muay Thai Light Middleweight world champion -72.5 kg
- 2002 K-1 World MAX USA champion -70 kg
- 2001 I.M.T.C. Muay Thai Super Middleweight North American champion -76 kg
- 2000 W.K.A. Muay Thai Super Middleweight USA title -76 kg
Amateur American and Thai Kickboxing
- 1999 I.K.F. Fighter of the Year
- 1999 I.K.F. Muay Thai light middleweight U.S amateur tournament champion -72.5 kg
- 1999 I.K.F. Muay Thai super middleweight U.S amateur champion -78 kg
- 1999 I.K.F. Regional Middleweight Muay Thai Champion
MMA
- 2003 U.C.C. World Lightweight champion -70 kg
- 2000 Extreme Shoot Fighting Lightweight Champion -70 kg
UFC
- Official fastest UFC knockout at 0:06 seconds
