Duane Ludwig (left) will need his quick trigger in Nashville. | Photo: Sherdog.com
Welterweights
Duane Ludwig (21-11, 4-2 UFC) vs. Josh Neer (32-10-1, 5-6 UFC)
In Neer, he will have an opponent who favors a fast-paced style and is not afraid of going toe-to-toe. “The Dentist” made a successful return to the Octagon in October, earning a TKO via against Keith Wisniewski at UFC Live 6. The Miletich Fighting Systems export showed dangerous elbows in the clinch against Wisniewski, opening cuts above both of his opponent’s eyes to force a doctor stoppage. Ludwig is never one to turn down a brawl, and when Amir Sadollah elected to stand and trade with the Colorado native at UFC Live 5, he paid the price, eating counter left hooks and body shots en route to losing a decision.
Neer will be the bigger fighter in this encounter, but Ludwig has made a living fighting larger opponents. The Grudge Training Center representative is most comfortable fighting at distance, where his knockout power can more easily show itself. Neer must force Ludwig to fight in close quarters, where he can do damage with dirty boxing and elbows while using his size to his advantage. Neer has a solid defensive guard and active submission game, but Ludwig is not likely to pursue a takedown. As the stronger man, Neer could benefit by exposing Ludwig’s mediocre grappling and takedown defense and forcing the match to the mat.
The Pick: Ludwig has fashioned a modest two-fight winning streak in the UFC, with decision wins over Sadollah and Nick Osipczak in his last two outings, but he remains fairly predictable. If Neer can neutralize his standup, Ludwig does not have many other options with which to pull out a victory. Look for Neer to trade with Ludwig early on, but, as the fight progresses, he will close the distance, battering his foe against the cage and on the ground to earn a decision.
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