Amir Sadollah looking to force things against Duane Ludwig
Opening Sunday’s UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle main card on versus will be a welterweight scrap between the Ultimate Fighter season 7 winner, Amir Sadollah against Duane “bang” Ludwig. Both fighters are coming off recent wins in the Octagon and look to continue their winning ways in a stacked 170 pound division.
Sadollah (5-2) is coming off his most impressive UFC win at last March’s UFC Fight Night where he forced DaMarques Johnson to submit due to strikes in the second round. Currently riding a two fight winning streak, Sadollah has gone 4-1 in his last five, while displaying some very technical Muay Thai skills. Sadollah has been training Muay Thai in Holland since before his days on the Ultimate Fighter (2007) at the Calmaro Gym under Marco van de Broek. Sadollah credits his fighting style and attitude to his time training in Holland.
“ I like their attitude, as far as being aggressive and just going in there and fighting 100% and walking out,” explained Sadollah.
Duane Ludwig
Ludwig (20-11) is also coming in off a recent win against Nick Osipczak by split decision at UFC 122 back in November. Ludwig has been fighting professionally in both Muay Thai and MMA since 2000 and began training Muay Thai at the young age of 15. Ludwig is a heavy handed striker who holds 10 career (T)KO victories and three additional wins via Submissions due to strikes.
“It’s no secret that his standup is his major strength, so when you fight a guy like that you want to be prepared but its MMA and you got to be well-rounded,” Sadollah described his opponent.
While Sadollah has taken notes of his opponent’s obvious strengths, Sadolloh is not fond of game planning specifically for what his opponent will likely do. “My philosophy and my coaches’ philosophy is more about putting the pressure on and make the opening and kind of fight on your terms and not train too much into what you expect them to do,” explained Sadollah.
Even though the two both have a Muay Thai background you cannot argue the fact that Ludwig has the striking advantage and can end a fight at any given moment with a single punch. Conversely, Sadollah might not carry the one punch knockout power, he does hold the UFC record for most kicks (46) landed in a 15 minute bout. More importantly though Sadollah and his Sambo black belt should come into the fight as the better-rounded mixed martial artist and that’s what Sadollah see’s as the key to victory on Sunday.
“The idea is I hope I’m the better rounded fighter. My plan with this and every fight is to be better on my feet, in wrestling and in the Jiu-Jitsu, just all around…..the key to victory I think is going to be an aggressive fast pace, force the opening and whether I make something happen on the ground or on the feet. That’s my goal I’m not going to rely on one thing or the others but I’ll got in there confident and to make it happen,” Sadollah reviled.
I’d like to thank Amir for the time and patience when a certain writer’s smart phone played stupid. Sadollah would like to thank “Joe Cliffs, Head rush. Sprawl, Battle ware tech and Sucker Punch Entertainment” and following him on twitter at www.twitter.com/AmirMMA.
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