Urijah Faber Opens Up About Duane Ludwig’s Departure From Team Alpha Male

Many were surprised when Team Alpha Male head coach Duane “Bang” Ludwig recently announced that he would be leaving the team in order to start his own gym in his home state of Colorado.

After all, former kickboxer and UFC veteran Ludwig had seemingly found his groove as coach of Urijah Faber’s heralded team, leading their talented fighters to a very impressive run throughout all of 2013.

Faber is currently in the Philippines for a promotional tour, so he hasn’t had much time to consider any of the more than 20 potential coaching candidates. But “The California Kid” spoke up to Bloody Elbow about Ludwig’s departure, noting that it was simply for the best if “Bang’s” long-term allegiance was not with Team Alpha Male:

“I think it’s good. There was a lot of publicity that came with that whole thing with Duane, but this team has been building for 11 years now. We were looking for a coach, and he came in and everyone made a big deal about it. We learned a lot from him, and from his style, but we need someone that is invested in the long term.”

Faber’s point of view is understandable. There’s no doubt that Ludwig’s system gave the team a much-needed shot in the arm, and now it’s time to move forward. Ludwig will be with the team through UFC 173 on May 24, a card in which one of his prized pupils, TJ Dillashaw, will take on one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world in UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao.

Dillashaw is looking to shock the world for his coach, but Faber doesn’t seem to be as enthusiastic. He had some semi-harsh words about his soon-to-be-former coach, noting that Ludwig always had his own agenda:

“It wasn’t anything really. We never signed a contract or anything. No (I wasn’t surprised he wasn’t here long term), not once I got him in the area. He’s got his own mind, and has his own agendas, so I completely understand it. It was an opportunity for him to get exposure that he really needed, but it is what it is, really.”

There could be the slightest hint of anger in Faber’s tone with the scenario, but he ended the quote with his trademark laidback attitude. Fresh off his second loss to Barao at February’s UFC 169, Faber knows that his team must head in a new direction.

Just where that direction will lead is unknown, but one thing is for certain: Faber has some mighty big shoes to fill upon his return from overseas.

Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale for USA TODAY Sports