In a surprising turn, Team Alpha Male and head coach Duane Ludwig have decided to part ways.
Under Ludwig’s tutelage, the Sacramento, Calif.-based gym underwent a renaissance in 2013. Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber went 4-0 in 2013; Chad Mendes has won six consecutive fights; and Joseph Benavidez went on a three-fight win streak and earned another shot at Demetrious Johnson’s flyweight title.
Faber confirmed the news to MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani on Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight on FOX Sports 1.
Faber indicated that Ludwig will remain with the camp through May 24, which is the weekend of UFC 173. He said that the camp and Ludwig are parting on amicable terms.
He also gave his short list of guys he’d like to bring in to fill Ludwig’s role.
“I would love to get a guy like Mark Homminick or Dan Hardy, even a guy like Mark Beecher. Maybe even Robert Follis,” Faber said.
According to Ludwig, it’s time to head back home to Colorado and start his own gym. “I’m moving back to Colorado to open and run my own gym and business,” Ludwig said. “Time to build my own brand. All is good here in Sacramento. Love the guys here, but I have to build my own business.”