UFC on Versus 1 Preview: The Prelims

Duane Ludwig vs. Darren Elkins

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The Breakdown: As with any fight involving Ludwig, his matchup with Elkins comes down to his ability to turn the lights out on Elkins’ brainstem before the fighting pride of Indiana can score a takedown and take advantage of Ludwig’s notoriously feeble ground game. It’s a script that’s been playing out for Ludwig’s whole career, but after watching him get picked apart on the feet by Jim Miller at UFC 108, the new question is whether Ludwig’s striking is really as dominating as it’s assumed to be.

The fact is that Ludwig hasn’t shown any discernible improvement in years while the level of striking in MMA has significantly improved during that same time. With that said, Elkins doesn’t pose much of a threat standing. He’ll go the path more travelled and try to crack Ludwig’s submission defense.

Normally that’s a guaranteed win, but Elkins’ base isn’t very strong and he has the bad habit of blowing dominant positions with poorly executed submissions. Even the worst grappler in the UFC has enough knowledge to escape a dime-store submission, and Elkins isn’t the sort of dominating mat monster that typically overwhelms Ludwig.

The Bottom Line: Never discount the possibility of Ludwig falling into a submission, but always keep in mind that Ludwig still has a spectacular history of violence inside the cage. Don’t be surprised if Elkins gets a couple of takedowns and puts a scare in Ludwig before eventually getting a bit too bold and wandering headfirst into one of Ludwig’s brain bombs.