The UFC on FX co-main event will feature a welterweight fight between Josh “The Dentist” Neer and Duane “Bang” Ludwig which will take place in Nashville, Tenn, this Friday night. It’s an interesting choice for a co-main event as neither fighter is well known by casual fans. However, both fighters are known as fighters that actually fight once they step inside the cage. Recently, Duane Ludwig was rightfully credited with the fastest KO in UFC history by UFC President Dana White, and Neer has 28 wins via stoppage. That alone lets you know this could be a very exciting fight. Let’s see how this one shakes out.
Josh Neer comes into this fight with an overall record of (32-10-1) with 17 wins via TKO/KO and 11 via submission. He was last seen in action taking out Keith Wisniewski back in October 2011, which was almost a 2 year gap since his prior UFC stint. Neer is a grizzled veteran in that this is his fourth UFC stint which is unusual in that most fighters do not get invited back to the UFC that many times once released. Neer is as tough as they come, well versed in submissions, and a capable striker as well.
Duane Ludwig comes into this fight with an overall record of (21-11) with 10 wins via TKO/KO and six wins via submission. Ludwig was last seen in action battering TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah for three rounds to win a unanimous decision back in August 2011. Ludwig has quietly won two fights in a row after suffering a severe ankle injury that kept him out of action for several months. Ludwig has a muay thai background and prefers to strike, but he’s also versed in submission as well. Ludwig rarely allows the judges to come into play as he usually finishes his opponents or they finish him.
This is a tough fight to call in that both fighters are fairly well rounded with neither being excellent wrestlers, so it’s difficult to determine where the majority of this fight could take place. I think these two fighters will more than likely keep the fight standing. I think Ludwig should have the edge there, but Neer is the larger fighter. Neer will need to close the distance on Ludwig which will nullify a great deal of his offense while presenting Neer an opportunity to use his size in the clinch or possibly take Ludwig down.
Ludwig will definitely look to keep the fight standing, so he’ll need to fight Neer at a distance which would allow him to get those leg kicks off as well as counter punches as Neer comes forward aggressively. If Neer is successful in taking Ludwig down he could possibly stop Ludwig via TKO via elbows and ground and pound or win a decision. If Ludwig is successful in keeping the fight standing, he should out strike Neer to win a decision or possibly knock Neer out. It should be noted that Neer has only been stopped via TKO/KO once in his career.
I like Ludwig in this one. I think he’s the better striker and I think he’ll be able to keep the fight standing enough to outpoint Neer for a decision win.
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