Duane Ludwig Says Coaching Is More Enjoyable Than Fighting

Duane Ludwig spoke about his coaching work in a new interview with MMAjunkie. Highlights are below:

On coaching versus fighting: “It’s just another form of it, I guess. It’s definitely – I’ll say it’s much more enjoyable. I get to eat what I want. I don’t get punched in the face anymore. I never get tired. People are nice and friendly when they see me; they’re not wanting to fight me and punch me. So, it’s a much more friendly field. The money is actually better now, teaching martial arts rather than getting punched in the face in the cage. So, other than that, too, life has turned out to be quite smooth.”

On his goals as a coach: “My goals are to help you get better, train safe and effectively. So you can go to the cage, or go to your job, or go see your wife or kids. So, just to get them better and make sure they’re understanding martial arts…I’m actually teaching martial arts to not just fighters, right? (We’re) taking the traditional commercial model of taekwondo and karate and, instead of doing katas and forms, we’re just taking higher percentage drills and combinations that are actually effective in the cage or in the street. But training in a safe, effective manner, so people can get better and not have a black eye when they leave the gym or the dojo or the academy, whatever you want to call it…So they don’t have to make the same mistakes and use that time to get better. Maybe expedite their careers or just as as martial artist in general. Makes me feel good to give back, right? Get another purpose in life. To help people grow. They’re all my children now. They’re my flowers, so to see them grow and get better is a reward for me.”

On his hopes for his system: “I’d love to have every gym teaching Bang Muay Thai.”