UFC 108 Preview: The Main Card

Jim Miller vs. Duane Ludwig

The Breakdown: You can’t help but feel for Miller, who saw high-profile bouts with both Tyson Griffin and Sean Sherk fall to pieces and is now slotted to take on headhunter extraordinaire Duane Ludwig, assuming Ludwig doesn’t spontaneously combust between now and Saturday night. A fate not much better awaits Ludwig anyway if he can’t find some way to keep Miller from taking him down at will.

Ludwig has a downright incredible reach and the power to back off most anyone. The problem is that his takedown defense and grappling is, at best, pedestrian and it has been that way for some time. That’s not a great combination when you’re facing someone like Miller who can wrestle and roll with equal aplomb.

There comes a point where you just have to make peace with the fact that modern MMA has left “Bang” behind. While Ludwig will always be incredibly dangerous in his one dimension, that one dimension just won’t cut it at this level.

The X-Factor: When you hold the unofficial record for fastest KO in UFC history, you’re obviously no laughing matter and Ludwig is more than capable of breaking his own record on Miller’s dime. While Miller has made strides with his boxing of late, he still isn’t capable of out-striking Ludwig. If he has any illusions otherwise, the price to be paid won’t break the bank, but it might break his jaw.

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The Bottom Line: Banking on Ludwig hitting Miller with the Goulet special is an investment in failure. Even if Miller indulges Ludwig on the feet for a bit, he’ll still have a convenient escape waiting in the form of a takedown. Once Ludwig is taken out of his element, the result will be a cut and dry first-round submission win for Miller.