Duane Ludwig claims Urijah Faber’s title shot is a ‘favor’ from the UFC

Duane Ludwig spoke to Bloody Elbow about the forthcoming UFC bantamweight title fight between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber and revealed what he wants next for T.J. Dillashaw.

The animosity between Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig and Urijah Faber is long-lasting and well documented. The pair began trading verbal barbs in 2015 after Ludwig left his post as head coach at Faber’s prized Team Alpha Male.

Many of the attacks have focused on Ludwig’s current (and Faber’s past) protégé, T.J. Dillashaw.

Current UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz (21-1), who defeated Dillashaw (12-3) in a razor-thin decision at UFC Fight Night 81 in January, has also drawn the ire of Ludwig as of late.

It should not come as a surprise that Ludwig had a strong opinion pertaining to the recent UFC announcement that Faber (33-8), and not the recently dethroned Dillashaw, would receive the next title shot versus ‘The Dominator’ at UFC 199 on June 4th.

It’s just a favor from the UFC to give Faber one last payday before he retires. –Duane Ludwig

“T.J. one-hundred-percent should have gotten the rematch,” Ludwig told Bloody Elbow. “It’s just a favor from the UFC to give Faber one last payday before he retires.”

Though Ludwig is disappointed in the matchmaking, he does believe the third contest between Cruz and Faber will be a “good fight.” Ludwig said this despite having absolute confidence in what the outcome will be come June 4th.

“Cruz will win,” stated Ludwig. “Faber hasn’t improved much, if at all.”

Ludwig also revealed that Dillashaw would likely not be fighting for the title in his next appearance inside the UFC octagon.

While making it clear that his star student would be ready and willing to fill in for either Cruz or Faber should one of them not make it to the cage, the Bang Muay Thai coach revealed that he believed Raphael Assuncao is the logical choice for Dillashaw to fight next.

Raphael Assuncao (23-4) is ranked 4th in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings and has not competed since decisioning Bryan Caraway at UFC Fight Night 54 in October, 2014.

When asked who he would prefer Dillashaw to fight next in a title bout, should the Elevation Fight Team member get passed Assuncao (or a yet to be named opponent), Ludwig’s answer was short.

“Cruz.”

Duane Ludwig spoke to Bloody Elbow about the forthcoming UFC bantamweight title fight between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber and revealed what he wants next for T.J. Dillashaw.

The animosity between Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig and Urijah Faber is long-lasting and well documented. The pair began trading verbal barbs in 2015 after Ludwig left his post as head coach at Faber’s prized Team Alpha Male.

Many of the attacks have focused on Ludwig’s current (and Faber’s past) protégé, T.J. Dillashaw.

Current UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz (21-1), who defeated Dillashaw (12-3) in a razor-thin decision at UFC Fight Night 81 in January, has also drawn the ire of Ludwig as of late.

It should not come as a surprise that Ludwig had a strong opinion pertaining to the recent UFC announcement that Faber (33-8), and not the recently dethroned Dillashaw, would receive the next title shot versus ‘The Dominator’ at UFC 199 on June 4th.

It’s just a favor from the UFC to give Faber one last payday before he retires. –Duane Ludwig

“T.J. one-hundred-percent should have gotten the rematch,” Ludwig told Bloody Elbow. “It’s just a favor from the UFC to give Faber one last payday before he retires.”

Though Ludwig is disappointed in the matchmaking, he does believe the third contest between Cruz and Faber will be a “good fight.” Ludwig said this despite having absolute confidence in what the outcome will be come June 4th.

“Cruz will win,” stated Ludwig. “Faber hasn’t improved much, if at all.”

Ludwig also revealed that Dillashaw would likely not be fighting for the title in his next appearance inside the UFC octagon.

While making it clear that his star student would be ready and willing to fill in for either Cruz or Faber should one of them not make it to the cage, the Bang Muay Thai coach revealed that he believed Raphael Assuncao is the logical choice for Dillashaw to fight next.

Raphael Assuncao (23-4) is ranked 4th in the UFC’s official bantamweight rankings and has not competed since decisioning Bryan Caraway at UFC Fight Night 54 in October, 2014.

When asked who he would prefer Dillashaw to fight next in a title bout, should the Elevation Fight Team member get passed Assuncao (or a yet to be named opponent), Ludwig’s answer was short.

“Cruz.”