Duane "Bang" Ludwig: UFC Star Sits Down For an Exclusive Interview

Throughout his decade-long career, Duane “Bang” Ludwig has been widely regarded as one of mixed martial arts’ most exciting and entertaining stars.

With extremely crisp, technical striking and a fighter’s spirit that is second to none, Ludwig has been a fan-favourite since the early days of his career.

In addition to being a seasoned mixed martial arts veteran, Ludwig has also fought as a professional kick-boxer, even winning the K-1 USA Max Championship tournament in 2002.

Ludwig made his first appearance in the UFC after scoring a stunning first round knockout victory over Jens Pulver in 2003, with a unanimous decision win over Genki Sudo at UFC 42: Sudden Impact.

In his second bout inside the Octagon, Ludwig set what would-be organization record for fastest finish after a four second flash-knockout over Jonathan Goulet had it not been for a timekeeper’s error that incorrectly recorded the stoppage time at 11 seconds.

After his stunning stoppage victory at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 3, Ludwig parted ways with the UFC to compete as both a professional kickboxer once again under the K-1 banner, and as a mixed martial artist with among other organizations; Strikeforce and Sengoku.

In January, Ludwig returned to the Octagon amid a great deal of fan-fair only to be submitted by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black-belt and former NCAA Division 1 wrestler Jim Miller at UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva.

Looking for redemption in front of his home-state crowd in Broomfield, Colorado at UFC Live Vera vs. Jones, Ludwig suffered a devastating injury when his opponent, then-UFC newcomer Darren Elkins scored a takedown that regrettably caught Ludwig’s left leg underneath the weight of his falling body; thereby snapping both “Bang’s” Tibia and Fibula at the distal points and fracturing his fibula.

“Bang” has since undergone successful surgery and has returned to training, as the Denver, Colorado native expects to return to the Octagon by year’s end.

Recently, Ludwig took time out of his busy schedule to sit down for an exclusive interview.

You’ve been a professional mixed martial artist for over 10 years and have fought some of the best competitors in the sport under a number of different banners, but what does being in the UFC mean to you at this point in your career? Would you like to finish your career inside the Octagon?

Yes, I’d love to finish my career in the UFC. The UFC is the best organization in the world and they treat their fighters very well.

A lot of fans may not know that you’ve already fought against some of the top lightweights in the UFC prior your return to the Octagon earlier this year. Be it BJ Penn, Takanori Gomi, or Tyson Griffin, is there any rematch that particularly interests you, or are you looking to move up in weight and establish yourself as one of the UFC’s top welterweights?

I’d love to fight Gomi again, because it was another short-notice fight and they were dicking around pretty good before the fight, as the Japanese usually do. I will be moving to welterweight, though.

“Dicking around?”

The Japanese promotions seem to give American fighters (fights on short notice) all the time and switch opponents a little too often. Among other things, they aren’t the best to do business with.

Given the unpredictability of the sport, it’s nearly impossible to say what the landscape of the UFC’s welterweight division will look like when you make your return to the Octagon, but do you have an ideal opponent in mind for when you return to action?

There isn’t a particular opponent in mind, there are good match-ups of course, but I’m not gunning for anyone.

You’ve always been well known for your devastating striking and ability to finish opponents in brutal fashion, and that has always appeared to be second nature to you, but is it important in your mind to put on an “exciting” show for the fans, or is winning your bouts, regardless of style and fan-fair, your main objective as a professional athlete? 

I fight for myself, I try not to get wrapped up in what other people think or say about my performances. I focus on what I can control.

You admitted recently that you're grappling skills were lagging behind your very technical striking skills. What have you been doing to ensure that you won’t be out-grappled by your opponents in the future?

I’ve been really focusing on my wrestling and jiu-jitsu, the last thing I need to do is punch a mitt.

Do you have a timetable for your return to action?

I plan on fighting by the end of the year.

Even though the injury that you sustained in your bout against Elkins could largely be considered a freak accident, do you think that you will be a bit more cautious when you return to the Octagon, or are you going to continue with business as usual in the future?

The injury was a freak thing, and I won’t be more cautious, because that would hold me back.

When I saw the replay of the final few seconds of your most recent bout, I cringed and hoped that you wouldn’t be injured too badly, but there was very little doubt in my mind that you would be out for quite a while. Have you seen the replay of your accident?

I saw the injury a few times; just a freak thing, man. I’ve been taken down a lot and have completed a lot of takedowns, and this has never happened. It was a crazy thing to watch.

Have you thought about how you would like to be remembered by combat sport fans after your days in the ring are behind you?

I’d love to be remembered as one of mixed martial arts’ most technical strikers, and someone that will fight anyone, no matter the terms.

When competitors take fights on short-notice, it’s typically out of necessity, and oftentimes the fighter who is signed late doesn’t perform up to their full potential. According to a recent interview, you’ve taken several fights on limited notice throughout your career.

Do you feel that you’re willingness to take fights on short-notice has in any way tarnished your reputation as a mixed martial artist by not allowing you train specifically for one competitor in mind, or do you think that if anything your displays of heart and courage against adversity have been an overall good thing for you career?

I’m rarely happy with my performances, but especially on most of the fights I’ve taken on short-notice. I’m just a gamer man; I don’t need a full training camp to fight anyone. I’ll fight whoever on a week or two weeks’ notice; done it before and I’ll do it again, but of course I’ll probably do a little better with more preparation.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your fans while you have this opportunity?

Thank-you for supporting me.