http://allmmanews.com MMA Sport - Amateur and Pro News Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.ufc.ca/news/Returning-Varner-Focuses-on-the-Future http://www.ufc.ca/news/Returning-Varner-Focuses-on-the-Future#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 By Jordan Newmark http://www.ufc.ca/news/Returning-Varner-Focuses-on-the-Future What a difference a year makes.

In 2009, Jamie Varner was the defending WEC lightweight champion. In 2010, Varner lost the title to Benson Henderson via third round guillotine choke, had battled to an inexplicable draw with Kamal Shalorus, lost a “Fight of the Night” rematch by decision to rival Donald Cerrone, and suffered a first round submission loss in the final WEC event to Shane Roller. Last year, Varner returned to smaller circuit shows, where he scored two lightning quick wins and a hard-fought decision loss. Finally this year, he defeated Drew Fickett in 40 seconds, got the call from the UFC, and is in the best mindset he’s been in for a while to answer this big opportunity.

“When you're on top for so long and when you hit bottom, you forget what it was like to be hungry, you forget what it is like to be down there,” tells Varner. “Since I've been gone, I've been able to get in touch more with reality and become a lot more grateful for the things I had, the things I lost. I think the biggest difference in me is my appreciation for all the people that have supported me, that have been around me, all the opportunities that I have been given, and the ability to fight for Zuffa. During that time off, I found out that I wanted to be a fighter. I wanted to be a competitor. Before, I was so sick of fighting, so sick of training. Realistically, 2010 was the worst year in my professional career and I guess it's because I didn't want to fight anymore. I took it for granted and I just didn't enjoy it and I lost the love for it. I think taking some time off and losing everything really made me appreciate what I had. It helped me find myself, I re-centered myself, I put myself around the right people, and now I'm back. I'm ready and I feel good. I think the biggest change is my overall happiness. I don't need to fight to be happy, but I like to fight and it makes me happy.”

At 27 years old, Varner has faced this career roller coaster and has come out the other side smiling and ready to face his next challenge. He credits most of this transformation to those who believed in him when he didn’t believe in himself: family, friends, fans, and, especially, Varner’s management Oren Hodak and Mike Constantino. It was these people who stood strong by Varner and helped change his mind when he felt, “I didn’t want to fight, I didn't deserve to fight, and I thought I forgot how to win.” The last piece of this puzzle came in the unlikely form of a past opponent and a new gym.

“I feel a lot better technically, physically, emotionally - I'm in a good spot,” explains Varner. “My home base is still Arizona Combat Sports with Trevor Lally and I have great workout partners there. I also outsourced my training to The Lab with Ben Henderson, Efrain Escudero, and coach John Crouch. I had to really grow up. Eat a little crow, swallow a little pride. I had to go into a gym that I knew would make me better and to be around guys that I knew would make me better. Their outlook on everything and fighting has really changed me, inspired me, and motivated me to want to be a fighter and want to be a fighter in the biggest and best organization. I was ok fighting in small shows, just doing it because I liked competing. But now these guys helped me believe in myself and I hope to one day figure out what the hell we're going to do as far as coaching when it's me versus Ben for the belt.”

Before Varner can duel “Smooth” for the UFC lightweight belt, he needs to reclaim his spot in the division’s top 10 by beating Edson Barboza at UFC 146. On Memorial Day weekend, Varner will mark his first fight in the Octagon since 2007 and a return to the Zuffa umbrella in a clash with the undefeated Brazilian. Originally, Barboza was scheduled to take on Evan Dunham, who was forced out due to injury and, now, replaced by Varner. The product of The Armory in Jupiter, Florida has been continuously impressing fight fans with each of his four wins in the UFC, which have almost exclusively been contested on the feet.

“Edson Barboza is a freak,” affirms Varner. “He's fast, athletic, strong. What I know about Edson are his four fights in the UFC and he's tough and a scary fighter. Evan Dunham is an absolute stud and I wish him a speedy recovery, but I am really grateful for the opportunity I have been given and to try to fill his shoes. Those are some big shoes to fill. Edson is extremely tough and it's a short notice situation, but I feel like I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. I go out there and fight Edson and lose to him, what's it to lose to Edson Barboza? But if I go out and beat him, that catapults me right back to the top. That would put me in as a top five or top 10 lightweight in the UFC. Only good things can come from this fight. My goal is to make it as hard on him as possible. If he puts his hands down for a second, I can hurt him. I have that one punch that can end the fight and we've seen that before. I always have a puncher's chance, but I think my overall preparation and mindset will be what carries me through this fight, whether it is Fight of the Night, a quick knockout or submission. I want to put on a show to show everyone why I was the WEC lightweight champion and to show why people can believe in me again.”

The fight itself should be a guaranteed, no brainer, bet the house on it, entertaining scrap at 155 pounds. Barboza is a bonus machine with his last three bouts winning Fight of the Night and in his most recent outing he also scored a Knockout of the Night over Terry Etim at UFC 142. Meanwhile, Varner has had many memorable tussles including a couple with kickboxer types like “Cowboy” Cerrone and the title winning slugfest with “Razor” Rob McCullough. Varner has had success against top fighters before, and is fully estimating Barboza could be his toughest test to date.

“I don't think I've ever fought anyone as fast as him before,” states Varner. “The speed thing on his end is probably one of his greatest assets. I haven't fought anyone as fast as him. Usually, I'm the faster guy. That is one thing that I'm not used to. As far as kickboxers, I have fought kickboxers before. Not too many that are crazy with the spin kicks, which is something I have to watch out for. He's just another kickboxer with good wrestling defense. A lot like Rob and a lot like Donald. I know I can make it 15 minutes with those guys. If it is just a kickboxing match in there, I know I can hang. Will I win a kickboxing match? Probably not, but I know I won't get beat bad. I'm confident in my kickboxing. He brings a lot more to the table than kickboxing - he hits fast, he has good movement, he is long, and he's got good wrestling defense. The key here will be to punch when he punches and hopefully walk him into something that he doesn't see.”

As mentioned, Varner is training both at his usual Arizona Combat Sports in Tempe as well as the new addition of The Lab in Glendale. It may have been a while for some fans, so as a refresher, Varner’s a heavy-handed boxer with strong wrestling and the majority of his wins have come by submission (11 of 19). The first two traits can be traced back to Varner’s NCAA division I wrestling background from Lock Haven University, where he was a National Collegiate Boxing Association champion too. The problem wasn’t about how sharp the weapons were, what prevented Varner from crossing over like his contemporaries Cerrone and Henderson was his diminishing internal fire for the sport, which has been rekindled.

“The thing that set me apart from them and their success was mentally they wanted to fight and I didn't,” divulges Varner. “They wanted to be fighters and I just lost my love for the sport. It's never been a question about ability. As far as ability is concerned, I have all the tools. I hit hard, I'm strong, I'm athletic, I have good wrestling, I have pretty good jiu-jitsu, and my striking is on point. It was always my mental game that held me back. I belong in the UFC, I belong in the top 10. Edson Barboza and UFC 146 is my chance to prove that I belong in the top 10. Not just to the fans, but I get to prove it to myself. It's going to be a tough fight, it's going to be a grueling fight. It could be over with one kick or one punch, but I don't see that happening. I see this being long, painful, and torturous, but in the end my hand should get raised.”

On May 26th in Las Vegas, the former WEC champion looks to make his triumphant return in a showdown with top contender Barboza. “I'm nervous, I'm scared, I'm excited,” admits Varner, who is ready, win or lose, to give it his all for the fans and for himself. “I have all these emotions, but I'm going to go in there and fight without fear and whatever happens happens. I'm either going to come back with my shield or on it.”

A win over Barboza would be a huge step for Varner in forgetting years past and focusing on a more positive future.

]]> http://allmmanews.com/returning-varner-focuses-on-the-future/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/Strikeforce-May-19-main-event-results http://www.ufc.ca/news/Strikeforce-May-19-main-event-results#comments Sun, 20 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 By Thomas Gerbasi http://www.ufc.ca/news/Strikeforce-May-19-main-event-results
Scores were 50-45 twice and 49-46 for Cormier, a two-time US Olympic wrestler who replaced Alistair Overeem in the tourney and never looked back, scoring consecutive victories over Antonio Silva and Barnett to take the mixed martial arts world by storm.

“It means everything to beat somebody like Josh Barnett,” said Cormier. “I’ve lost a lot of people in my life, and this is for all of them. My daughter Kaedyn, my dad. This means the world to me.”

Barnett set a fast pace to begin the five rounder, and Cormier eagerly kept up, going on the offensive with hard punches to the head. Barnett looked to be a little flustered by Cormier’s attack, but by the midway point, the fight settled into a more manageable groove for him. Cormier continued to tag Barnett with a varied array of strikes, including punches to the head and body, knees, and push kicks. The former UFC champion finished strong though, opening a bruise under Cormier’s left eye just before the bell.

Cormier started the second round off strong, but this time Barnett was able to answer a lot better with his strikes. Two minutes in, Cormier drilled Barnett with two hard body shots and then took “The Warmaster” to the mat. There, Cormier mauled Barnett, bloodying his face with ground strikes. Barnett tried to work a submission from the bottom, but the Louisiana native wasn’t having it.

The pace dipped in the third, but Cormier still remained in the driver’s seat, slamming Barnett to the mat and later drilling and hurting him with a right head kick as he locked up another round.

Barnett, refusing to back down, landed with two hard knees to open round four, making it clear to Cormier that he was still in the fight. Barnett’s punches were apparently not hurting Cormier, yet they were scoring some much needed points. Cormier, potshotting whenever he saw the openings, even landed with two more head kicks before another getting takedown. Barnett almost locked up Cormier’s leg in the process, but “DC” was able to escape, with his fans breathing a sigh of relief. In the final minute, referee Josh Rosenthal restarted the action, with Barnett making a final charge until round’s end.

The two shook hands before the final round began, and with five minutes left in the fight, Cormier played it smart, but he didn’t stall, still picking off Barnett until getting a takedown with under two minutes left. Barnett didn’t stay on the mat long, but Cormier pinned him to the fence, not allowing the veteran to make a fight saving rally.

With the win, Cormier ups his record to 10-0; Barnett falls to 31-6.


]]> http://allmmanews.com/strikeforce-hwgp-main-event-results/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/Strikeforce-May-19-main-card-results http://www.ufc.ca/news/Strikeforce-May-19-main-card-results#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 By Thomas Gerbasi http://www.ufc.ca/news/Strikeforce-May-19-main-card-results
Not surprisingly, Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson gave fight fans five rounds of high level mixed martial arts in their rubber match at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California Saturday night. But what may have been shocking to those same fans was how close Thomson came to unseating the longtime Strikeforce lightweight champion before losing an unpopular split decision.

Scores were 48-47 twice, and 47-48 for Melendez, who defeated Thomson in 2009 and lost to him in 2008. All three bouts ended in five round decisions.

“We know each other real well, and it’s a battle of the bay,” said San Francisco’s Melendez. “He’s a tough guy as always. I thought I won most of the rounds. I know he took my back in the fourth round, and the last round he took me down, but I was winning on bottom punching him; he was just holding me down. It wasn’t my best performance, but Josh is amazing, it’s all good.”

“He fought a great fight,” said a gracious Thomson. “Tonight wasn’t my night, the judges gave it to him, hat’s off to him, I give credit to him.”

Thomson looked sharp early, switching stances in order to throw the champion off, but 90 seconds in, Melendez got inside and got the takedown. After a brief spell on the mat, the two rose at the midway point of the round, fighting at a measured pace until the final seconds, when Thomson landed some body kicks and Melendez got a brief takedown.

Things heated up a bit in round two, with Thomson doing good work from long range, and Melendez answering when the fight moved to close range. With 1:54 left, an in advertent eye poke by Melendez brought a momentary halt to the action, and when it resumed, the two began trading with more frequency. Both fighters had their moments, and Melendez used the opportunity to score another takedown before finishing with some solid offense and defense, landing elbows and stuffing a Thomson takedown attempt.

Melendez came out for the third stanza with a swelling over his right eye, but that didn’t affect his forward march. Thomson was able to turn back a Melendez takedown though, and he also landed with some solid punches in the aftermath, drawing a roar from his hometown crowd. Again, Melendez was unmoved by the rally, and he continued to play the role of aggressor, scoring with some hard uppercuts that got the attention of “The Punk.”

Cardio didn’t appear to be an issue for either fighter as the championship rounds began, and Thomson made his loudest statement of the fight thus far, as he caught Melendez with some hard shots that drew blood from the champion’s left eye. A takedown by Melendez stopped the metaphorical bleeding for a moment, and when the two rose, it was back to “El Nino” stalking and Thomson trying to potshot. A sudden trip takedown by Thomson with 90 seconds left put Melendez on his back and changed the complexion of the fight immediately, as Thomson soon attempted to sink in a rear naked choke. Melendez weathered the storm though, making it to the end of the round.

With the drama high, Melendez and Thomson both looked to close the show in style, and Melendez struck first with a takedown. Thomson got back to his feet quickly, and after a brief spell of inactivity, he nailed Melendez with a right hand as he looked for another trip to the canvas. Melendez worked his jab well throughout, and a knee to the head scored as both fighters missed with takedowns. With 1:46 remaining, Thomson again complained of an eye poke, providing a quick break for both. Refreshed, if only for a moment, the two engaged, with Thomson holding the slight edge. A stuffed takedown late was followed by another leg trip by Thomson, who finished the 25 minute bout on top.

With the win, Melendez improved to 21-2; Thomson falls to 19-5 with 1 NC.

Revenge was sweet for former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante, as he got even for a 2009 knockout loss against Mike Kyle by submitting his opponent in just 33 seconds, putting him right in line for a shot to regain his title.

“If Strikeforce gives me the chance, I want the belt,” said Cavalcante.

Seconds into the bout, “Feijao” missed with a right hand but immediately followed up with a right knee that sent Kyle sprawling into the fence. The Brazilian didn’t let Kyle off the hook, following up with a furious barrage of ground strikes. As Kyle began to clear his head and rise, Cavalcante sunk in a guillotine choke and pulled guard. Kyle tried to escape with a slam, but all that did was tighten the choke, forcing a tap out.

With the win, Cavalcante improves to 12-3; Kyle falls to 19-9-1 with 1 NC.

Las Vegas-based Swede Chris Spang scored a minor upset in the main card opener, halting hot welterweight prospect Nah-Shon Burrell in less than a round.

Spang scored with a head kick in the second minute, and he quickly closed the gap on Burrell before he could recover, pinning him against the fence, where the Vaxjo native looked for a takedown briefly before breaking loose. Once separated, Spang dropped Burrell with a quick left hook. The Philadelphian sprung to his feet immediately, but Spang unloaded on him as Burrell tried to hold on. An unanswered series of knees followed, and Burrell miraculously stayed upright, but when Spang released the Thai clinch, he staggered into the fence to take more punishment. Finally, after taking a few more shots and falling to the mat, referee Josh Rosenthal stepped in to halt the bout at 3:25 of the opening frame.

With the win, Spang improves to 5-2; Burrell falls to 8-2.

]]> http://allmmanews.com/strikeforce-hwgp-main-card-results/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/strikeforce-prelim-results-051912 http://www.ufc.ca/news/strikeforce-prelim-results-051912#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 UFC News http://www.ufc.ca/news/strikeforce-prelim-results-051912
JZ “Gesias” Cavalcante vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Seasoned lightweights JZ Cavalcante and Isaac Vallie-Flagg turned in a competitive scrap in the featured prelim bout, one that appeared to take place in fast-forward after the plodding light heavyweight third round that San Jose fans had most recently seen. After three rounds Vallie-Flagg’s endurance and versatility on the feet earned him a split decision nod.

Gesias sped forward early on and got a huge takedown, then took Vallie-Flagg’s back on the way up, trying for a rear-naked choke and a guillotine against the cage. That was the high point of the bout for Cavalcante, who slowed gradually over the next 12 minutes as Vallie-Flagg only improved.

Vallie-Flagg escaped that early exchange and came out swinging. He chased down his opponent with jabs and kicks, adding in a flying knee that connected for the first of several times throughout the bout. A body kick from Vallie-Flagg earned a head kick from Cavalcante, and the two stood and traded for the rest of the round.

Gesias earned another takedown in the second, this one in the center of the hexagon, and worked to smother Vallie-Flagg. Vallie-Flagg remained calm, trapping one of Cavalcante’s legs before deftly spinning out of the position and returning to his feet. The two stood up trading punches, and for the rest of the bout, the advantage was Vallie-Flagg’s, who’d seemed to find his range. He peppered Cavalcante with jabs, overhand rights, front kicks (including one that snapped Cavalcante’s head back) and those flying knees. Cavalcante worked for takedowns, but was refused on all further attempts. Vallie-Flagg also capitalized in exchanges on the fence, mixing up body shots with hammerfists to the face and a half dozen brutal close-quarters elbows.

Judges turned in scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29 for Vallie-Flagg, who is now 13-3-1; Cavalcante slips to 18-5-1. ““This is by far my biggest win,” said “Vallie-Flagg. “JZ has beaten top guys like Bart Palaszewski and this is huge for me to stand in there for three rounds and get the win. I knew he was going to tire in the third so I tried to turn up the intensity”

Virgil Zwicker vs. Carlos “Guto” Inocente
Light heavyweight Virgil Zwicker showed incredible heart and chin in a three-round slobberknocker against Brazilian kickboxing champ Carlos “Guto” Inocente, who showed off his brilliant technique and still-developing gas tank.

Round one was a clinic for Inocente’s kicks, as he landed body kicks (spinning and otherwise), knees, and a huge high kick that would have dropped most men. Instead, Zwicker responded with an instinctive takedown, and the two worked their way back back to the feet. The end seemed imminent as Zwicker was wobbly, exhausted and staggered with his hands down, but he somehow survived the round and got a takedown on the way out.

In rounds two and three, Zwicker caught few of Inocente’s kicks, using the leg to bull him against the fence or mat. Inocente stayed active with his own takedowns and landed a spinning back fist that cracked throughout the arena. By the end of round two, Inocente appeared nearly as exhausted as his opponent.

Both men fought round three on fumes, with their hands held low as they winged sloppy fists at one another. The tide seemed to have turned as Zwicker connected several times, but Inocente rallied often enough to remind judges of the accurate kicks that had earlier made his win seem a foregone conclusion.

Judges gave the bout to Inocente 30-27 and 29-28 twice, much to the disappointment of the crowd. Inocente stays perfect with a 6-0 record, while Zwicker drops to 10-3 plus one clear moral victory. “It was a difficult fight,” said Inocente. “He’s a very good fighter and I was very surprised he was able to take all of those shots from me.”

“I was able to show my heart out there but I came up short,” said Zwicker, who said that his finger was broken by a kick in the first round. “I have to get back to the drawing board and come back stronger.”

Gian Villante vs. Derrick Mehmen
Long Island light heavyweight Gian Villante used crisp strikes and nasty leg kicks to batter fellow wrestler Derrick Mehmen over three rounds.

Villante set the tone early, dropping Mehmen with a right uppercut. Mehmen survived the follow-up attack, but the edge had gone to Villante, who continued a relaxed approach to delivering his short straight-body-uppercut combos. He staggered Mehmen again with a huge right hand and ended the round with a high headkick for good measure.

Rounds two and three were more of the same, with Villante mixing in more low kicks and left jabs, both of which clearly affected his opponent. Mehmen tried for takedowns each round, but was refused by Villante save one at the end of round three. Mehmen launched two explosive offenses in the third, rushing forward with strikes, but none of them appeared to damage – or faze – Villante, who nimbly escaped the clinch attempts and returned to his post in the center of the cage.

Villante easily nabbed a unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, boosting his record to 10-3; Mehmen stumbles to 12-5. “I played it a little too safe in there because I knew he was going to try to take it to the mat,” said Villante post-fight. “I found a home for my jab and did my best to keep the distance and capitalize on his mistakes.

Quinn Mulhern vs. Yuri Villefort
Two welterweight brown belts engaged in a series of scrambles, and ultimately Quinn Mulhern used his long legs and experience to end the 21-year old Yuri Villefort’s undefeated streak.
All three rounds started on the feet but quickly went to the mat. It was Mulhern who stayed busier with nonstop submission attempts, including omoplatas, a north-south choke, a guillotine and a solid-looking kneebar. It was also Mulhern who scored more consistent takedowns.

For his part, Villefort showed excellent submission defense, nimbly reversing and escaping throughout the bout. In the first round, he drew blood with vicious elbows and scored with body shots, all from guard. But these attacks waned as the fight wore on and by round three, he was all reaction.

Judges scored the bout 30-27, 29-28 and 28-29 for the underrated Mulhern, who now stands at 18-2, including three in a row in Strikeforce; Villefort drops to 6-1 in his Strikeforce debut.

James Terry vs. Bobby Green
In the night’s first bout (and only dark match of the card), two California lightweights fought tooth and nail for a full three rounds. In the end, it was SoCal’s “King” Bobby Green who pulled out the split decision win over San Jose’s own James Terry.

The two standout wrestlers kept the bout on the feet for much of the action, obviously both looking for the knockout. Green stayed on the outside, looking for the counter, and both tested the waters with leg kicks. In the last 90 seconds, both men made thwarted takedown attempts and erupted in huge flurries. Round two went almost exactly the same way. Terry staggered Green twice with strikes, but Green just stuck his tongue out and waved Terry on.

Green continued to hype the crowd up to open the third, taking the center of the cage and stalking Terry, who was now bleeding from the nose. This time, Green rocked Terry with a knee and punches, and the two stood and traded wild strikes, with Terry making one last-ditch effort at a takedown. It wasn’t enough, though, as judges had it 29-28, 29-28 and 28-29 for Green.

“I got this fight on 18 days’ notice and that’s the longest I’ve had to prepare for a fight in Strikeforce,” said Green afterward. “I actually knew very little about James so I Facebooked him when I got the fight to let him know that I was looking forward to getting in there and bleeding with him. I’m excited to get back in there show the fans what I can really do on a full training camp.”

Green’s record improves to 18-5, while Terry drops to 11-5 in this, his tenth Strikeforce appearance.

]]> http://allmmanews.com/strikeforce-san-jose-prelim-results/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/ufc-returns-to-san-jose-july-11 http://www.ufc.ca/news/ufc-returns-to-san-jose-july-11#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 UFC News http://www.ufc.ca/news/ufc-returns-to-san-jose-july-11
All four competitors were standouts in collegiate wrestling and have since made the impressive transition to mixed martial arts. Munoz won a Division I national championship in 2001 at Oklahoma State, while Weidman, unbeaten at 8-0 in his professional MMA career, was a two-time All-American at Hofstra. The winner of their clash on July 11 is expected to emerge as a top challenger to the middleweight title.

San Jose’s Fitch captained the 2002 Purdue University wrestling team, and his opponent on July 11, Simpson, was a two-time All-American at Arizona State who also competed at the 2004 Olympic trials. Both look to climb the ranks in the highly-competitive UFC 170-pound division when they meet at “The Shark Tank.”

The main card, which airs live on FUEL TV at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, will include:

•]]> http://allmmanews.com/ufc-returns-to-san-jose-july-11/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tuf-live-recap-episode-11-quarterfinals http://www.ufc.ca/news/tuf-live-recap-episode-11-quarterfinals#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 Not by Dan Downes http://www.ufc.ca/news/tuf-live-recap-episode-11-quarterfinals
Two live fights and one big announcement are supposed to fit into an hour-long show, so there's little time for house hijinks,. After a quick look back at last week's upsets,]]> http://allmmanews.com/the-ultimate-recap-live-episode-eleven/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/At-33-Duane-Ludwig-is-Just-Warming-Up http://www.ufc.ca/news/At-33-Duane-Ludwig-is-Just-Warming-Up#comments Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 By Jordan Newmark http://www.ufc.ca/news/At-33-Duane-Ludwig-is-Just-Warming-Up Duane “Bang” Ludwig is just like you, with one exception: he’s a world renowned kickboxer and mixed martial artist.

The Denver, Colorado native is a husband, a father, a small business owner (303 Training Center in Westminster, CO), and simply a guy who wants to own a house. On the other hand, he is also the proud owner of the fastest knockout in UFC history, but that title nor the litany of Muay Thai belts that he refers to as “closet stuffers” have not altered the down-to-Earth individual he is outside of the cage, regardless of how popular he is in it.

“I still have a mortgage and car payments,” tells Ludwig. “I still live fight to fight. It's not like I'm anything different. People who get popular in the UFC and change when they get famous, I'm not famous, but there are people who change when they get more popular, per se. Maybe it's because they're a fake person and they're allowing other people’s vision to change them. Maybe I would change if I was given a million dollars, but I would doubt it. I am the same person I have always been. I sell more shirts, I sell more shorts, I have more students at the gym, I get more interview questions, and I guess it's just a busier lifestyle than what it's been. But it's fun. Being more popular, I'm able to connect with more people and help out a lot more people, which is nice. I like to help out people and help out animals. It's not about collecting more dollars and being the ‘man’. It's about connecting with more people and spreading the martial arts knowledge and I'm happy the more I can do that.”

The 33-year old Ludwig has spent over half his life in pursuit of martial arts excellence. At 15, he began training Muay Thai as his passion, with expectations of being an electrician as his job. After tearing through the amateur circuit, Ludwig became a professional kickboxer and cagefighter in 2000 and hasn’t looked back ever since. 12 years later, he has traded fists and feet around the world with the best fighters both sports have to offer, is raising a family, aspires to open an animal rescue, and is having a blast competing with the razor sharp talent of the UFC welterweight division.

“My motivation has always been that I'm a natural fighter, I love to fight, and I love to train,” says Ludwig. “Things have changed now because I know my athletic performances in the cage directly affect my financial responsibilities, so that is a pressure that sometimes has hurt me and sometimes has helped me. But I try not to let that distract me. At the gym, I still have to train to get better and go out there and fight and have fun. It's about exploring yourself and the self-development of who you are and your dream. There's a win bonus and I have a family and that's all a reality, but, at the end of the day, I have to go out there and have fun. I'm a husband and father first before I'm a fighter, but I definitely love to fight and it's fun for me. I'd rather help somebody than punch somebody, but I don't mind punching somebody either.”

The last person fight fans saw “Bang” sock in the kisser was the granite chinned Josh “The Dentist” Neer in the co-main event at UFC on FX in January. “I definitely felt good and definitely felt that I was getting the better of everything because I was,” remembers Ludwig, who landed shots at will before Neer scored a takedown and, shortly thereafter, a guillotine choke. Neer caught Ludwig’s exposed neck in the fight ending submission as he was pushing his way back to standing. “He got the takedown too easy. Looking back, I wish I had sat back and waited for the referee to separate us. I was too eager to fight; I'm too impatient when I fight.”

The first round loss is Ludwig’s first at 170 pounds in the UFC following two exciting decision wins over The Ultimate Fighter alum Nick Osipczak and season 7 winner Amir Sadollah. With an overall record of 29-12, “Bang” has appeared physically at his best in these past three performances, looking faster, stronger, and more dangerous than he has in years. “It's definitely great focusing on training to be a martial artist and not just cutting weight,” says Ludwig, who walks around at 190 pounds and used to stubbornly cut down to 155 pounds for lightweight.

On Memorial Day weekend at UFC 146, the next challenger for Ludwig is a showdown with British slugger Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy, which has the proverbial “guaranteed fireworks” written all over it. “He's a really good opponent and always comes to fight,” asserts Ludwig, who isn’t underestimating the heavy-handed Hardy because of his recent four fight losing streak. “The whole win/loss ratio is idiotic as long as you come to fight, case in point with Dan Hardy. They want you to put on a good show and that's what he comes to do and that's what I always come to do. Of course, everyone wants a winner, but you want good shows and we put on good shows.”

On paper, this is a matchup between standup fighters with a prodigious amount of KO/TKO victories to their name. Although true, that rough estimation severely undercuts Ludwig’s elite level kickboxing experience, which he has honed, as mentioned, for more than half his life. “Bang” didn’t win the I.S.K.A. World Title from Mongkhon Wiwasuk because he likes to grip and rip punches; Ludwig won because he’s a great and technical kickboxer. It’s a distinction that was quite evident in Ludwig’s outclassing of Sadollah last August, and he anticipates a similar result against Hardy if the fight stays on the feet.

“I'm a striker,” affirms Ludwig. “I'm one of the best strikers in all of MMA. I'm a very good striker in the striking world. I did K-1. I think overall if you matched me against not just mixed martial arts strikers, strikers in general, I would grade myself as a B+, A- of the best. That's against the best like K-1 Max level guys. Anything can happen and I am a mixed martial artist and not just a striker. If it goes to the ground, I will be prepared. I do a lot of wrestling, a lot of jiu-jitsu. It's in my blood to stand up and fight, so I prefer that. We'll see what happens when the bell rings. I feel superior to most guys in striking, but Dan can take a shot and he can chuck some bombs, so I have to be alert and be on my game for sure. I'm just naturally fast and I hit hard. I've been doing this for a while, so you can see what's going on before, during, and after shots to see if there are any openings going on in there. I am good at reading telegraphic keys is what I call them - I have good ‘counter eyes’. There are mistakes done before, after, and during shots and I can pick them up. I felt that in the Sadollah fight and I think I will feel that again in the Hardy fight.”

In preparation for his bout with his 23-10 (1 NC) opponent, Ludwig splits his training between two gyms: his own and Grudge Training Center. At the latter, “Bang” works with gym owner, operator, and boxing coach turned MMA coach Trevor Wittman while sharing mat time with MMA notables like Nate Marquardt and Brendan Schaub. At his own gym, Ludwig brings in Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, solid wrestlers, and has the personnel who can help keep his striking tight. No matter where he trains, Ludwig has himself, who he’s relied on most to cull his own talent by his own instincts as a fighter.

“I have to give myself the most credit in being able to just see these things,” explains Ludwig. “It's just naturally been in me and been a part of me of being able to see shots, shots coming. I do have specific drills that I do to kind of slow things down visually and read the telegraphic keys. I would say 80% of this has been self taught from watching videos and doing what I feel like I should do. I have learned quite a bit from Trevor Wittman and I have learned quite a bit from Bas Rutten. I have been able to pick things up and pick and choose things and that's how my fight game has evolved. I have adapted my own style or created my own style from that, so that's been good instead of having someone tell me what I should or shouldn't do. I just go by feeling and who I truly am instead of having someone tell me what I am. I go by what I feel, which is more natural.”

On May 26th in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, two MMA welterweights will collide inside the Octagon, but everyone watching will have their fingers crossed that “Bang” and “The Outlaw” keep it standing and just throw. “I think I'm better at wrestling and jiu-jitsu than him, but when that bell rings and I get hit, I bite the end of my mouthpiece and I chuck bombs - that's just what I do,” states Ludwig, who remains true to himself as a fighter in the cage or ring, and as a nice guy outside of it.

In conclusion, “Bang” is a typical family man trying to make ends meet seeing the shots coming and firing back with a mean counterpunch. Sort of like all of us.

]]> http://allmmanews.com/at-33-duane-ludwig-is-just-warming-up/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tuf-live-quarterfinal-results-may-18 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tuf-live-quarterfinal-results-may-18#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 UFC News http://www.ufc.ca/news/tuf-live-quarterfinal-results-may-18
Al Iaquinta vs. Andy Ogle
In the night’s second fight, Team Faber’s first pick Al Iaquinta proved he was worth the hype, stopping teammate Andy Ogle in the last seconds of the first round.

Though Long Island’s Iaquinta had the wrestling pedigree, Brit boxer Ogle appeared nervous on the feet from the get-go – with good reason, it would turn out. Ogle was on his bicycle for most of the round, and bleeding from the first minute when both fighters connected with cracking strikes. But most of the round was Iaquinta’s, who mixed things up with high kicks, leg kicks and blistering blows, particularly from a mean right hand. Iaquinta even appeared bored at times, lowering his hands and waiting for Ogle to come forward.

In the round’s final minute, Iaquinta dropped Ogle with one big punch, then followed him to the mat for ground and pound and some messy submission attempts. Ogle survived, but as soon as he stood, Iaquinta threw a right elbow that connected right on Ogle’s temple. Ogle dropped and the ref dove in at 4:44 of the stanza.

“He looked phenomenal,” said UFC President Dana White after Iaquinta’s win. “He looked sharp, he picked him apart, hit him with big shots and then finished him. He sent a statement.”

Vinc Pichel vs. Chris Saunders
In a battle between two SoCal kickboxers, Team Faber’s Chris Saunders showed heart and resilience, but was ultimately outworked and outclassed by Team Cruz’ dark horse Vinc Pichel, who advanced to the semifinals by majority decision.

A battlefield routine played out over both rounds: Starting in the center, Pichel charged forward with strikes, crushing Saunders against the cage and working – at times for an extended period – for a takedown. Saunders bounced, scrambled or fought his way back up, a couple of times taking Pichel’s back en route, then returned things to the center where the series would start again.

Both men were bloodied by the end – Pichel scored early with big elbows from the bottom, and Saunders landed a nice one on one break, plus a few knees as Pichel worked for takedowns.
Pichel’s striking was on point in round two, and he unloaded at one point with a repeating right-left-knee combo that had Saunders in danger. He continued to score with takedowns, and again landed that combination in the last ten seconds of the bout, issuing a knee to Saunders’ gut to seal the round… and the fight on two of three judges’ scorecards (a third had it 19-19).

“It was definitely a battle,” said the 6-0 Pichel, who’s finished all of his previous fights. “I just grinded it out. It was my first decision. I was kinda hoping for that third round so I could get the finish.”

Both Iaquinta and Pichel will fight again next week in the live semifinals -- against one another -- alongside Mike Chiesa (Team Faber) vs. James Vick (Team Cruz). The winner will face a third bout in as many weeks in the main event of the TUF Live Finale, taking place June 1 in Las Vegas.
]]> http://allmmanews.com/tuf-live-week-two-quarterfinal-results/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tweets-of-the-week-051812 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tweets-of-the-week-051812#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 Thomas Cunningham http://www.ufc.ca/news/tweets-of-the-week-051812 Strikeforce Tomorrow Night!
Before they throw down (Saturday at 10p), they talk. @FrankShamrock interviews the @Strikeforce headliners: http://ow.ly/b0srZ #MMA]]> http://allmmanews.com/tweets-of-the-week-518-2/feed 0 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tweets-of-the-week-051812 http://www.ufc.ca/news/tweets-of-the-week-051812#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000 Thomas Cunningham http://www.ufc.ca/news/tweets-of-the-week-051812 Strikeforce Tomorrow Night!
Before they throw down (Saturday at 10p), they talk. @FrankShamrock interviews the @Strikeforce headliners: http://ow.ly/b0srZ #MMA]]> http://allmmanews.com/tweets-of-the-week-518/feed 0