The Bang Muay Thai (BMT) system is a system of striking created by Duane Ludwig and inspired by Bas Ruten.
It is based on Ludwig’s vast experience in martial arts and in striking in particular.
BMT is also available to learn online through weekly videos and structured curriculum provided by Coach Duane Ludwig.
What makes this system effective as well as fun for people to train and for champions and fighters to apply in the cage or ring?
This article will give an overview of bang muay thai, it’s origins, development and key defining features.
Who is Duane ‘Bang’ Ludiwg
Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig is the creator of BMT and the main instructor in the system.
Ludwig is a decorated kickboxing/muay thai champion having won the 2000 W.K.A Muay Thai USA title, 2004 ISKA World Title and the 2002 K-1 World Max USA Title among others.
Ludwig’s primary focus now is MMA after having a respectable MMA career with a 21-14 record and having the prestigious unofficial record of the fastest knock out in UFC history at UFC Fight Night 3.
Having retired from competing his focus is now on coaching.
His record as MMA Coach speaks for itself having coached UFC champion TJ Dillashaw and UFC contender Joseph Benevidez as well as winning UFC coach of the year in 2013 and 2014.
The BMT system Duane Ludwig created draws upon experience from Ludwig’s career in kickboxing, K-1 and MMA and from his coaches including Bas Rutten and Trevor Wittman.
How was Bang Muay Thai developed?
Bang Muay thai (BMT) is the system created by Duane Ludwig and is currently being utilized and showcased on the world stage through fighters such as TJ Dillashaw and Joseph Benevidez in the UFC.
The BMT website describes the system as a hybrid style of martial arts that uses an assortment of tools and concepts from Western Boxing, Dutch Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Kyokushin Karate, & Wrestling that has been put together to form an elite striking system for MMA.
In an article published in 2018 by mma junkie, Ludwig describes the rationale behind the system and how it is able to suit the purpose of weekend warriors and high level fighters fighters such as TJ Dillashaw :
“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.
The system is also referred to as Bas Rutten inspired Bang Muay Thai as the combos and number system used in Bang Muay Thai originate from the number system developed by Bas Rutten.
What are the key features of Bang Muay Thai?
The number system
BMT utilizes a unique number system for combos that differs from most boxing and kickboxing combos used commonly.
The BMT number system is different mainly through the ease of developing more complex combinations through what Sensei Ludwig calls ‘chunking’ or putting together different combos in a seamless flow.
Ludwig highlights the importance of this in fighting and being able to process information from your corner faster through utilising the BMT numbers system.
The number system is key in BMT and allows for chunking of combos together in longer more complex combos with a lot of movement that works to keep your opponent off balance and less able to predict your attacks.
Difference between Bang Muay Thai and traditional numbers for combos.
| Combo # | Bang Muay Thai | Boxing/Kickboxing |
| 1 | Jab | Jab |
| 2 | Jab, Cross | Cross |
| 3 | Jab, Cross, Hook | Hook |
So to call for a Jab, cross, hook, low kick in traditional combos you would have to call out 1,2,3 low kick.
In the BMT system this would be 3, low kick. You could chunk this together as follows: 3, Low Kick, 2 which is a fairly common combo in the bang muay thai system.
Meaning after the low kick you throw a jab, cross to ensure you keep your opponent on the defensive and ensure that you don’t take a break between combos, especially after a low kick.
As Sensei Ludwig teaches its very common for both fighters to take a break after a low kick is thrown in any fight.
In bang muay thai there are no breaks. This is achieved partly through chunking together combos in fluid process.
Switching stance
This is a key feature also in the bang muay thai system. Just about every instructor or boxing/kickboxing coach teaches to stay in your natural stance with little flexibility to switch stance. Whereas in BMT we learn to operate from both stances pretty much from the beginning.
As Sensei ludwigs states being able to be comfortable in both stances increases your options by 100%.
So instead of limiting yourself, switching stance will allow for opening up of double the opportunities.
Angles and getting off line of your opponent
This is also key aspect of the BMT system and is based off a solid foundation in footwork.
Getting angles and staying outside of your opponents shoulders contribute to keeping you safe from your opponents power as well as putting yourself in prime position to attack from your opponent’s weak or blind side.
This is what coach Ludwig refers to getting off the tracks and attacking from an angle to provide better percentage combos with a higher probability of landing on your opponent.
Bang Muay Thai belt system
As Ludwig explained, the BMT system takes the traditional commercial form of taekwando and karate and applies this kickboxing/muay thai.
In the Bang muay thai belt system, is a clear curriculum from White belt all the way up to Black belt in the system and though the system can be learned and practiced online. Belt testing requires in person testing at the HQ in Colorado or at an affiliated gym.
As with traditional martial arts the bang muay thai system teaches respect and discipline and a vital aspect of this is bowing before you get on the mats and bowing to your partners before drilling partner drills much like in Judo and Karate.
BMT Online Academy
As stated, the BMT system is available online to learn. Currently there are 3 levels with Levels 1 and 2 consisting of 52 lessons each.
Yes, that’s two years of weekly lessons available online, beginning from the basics of foot work and stance up to the more complex bang muay thai ninja combos.
The online academy includes a community forum as well as accessible footage of seminars and instruction from Bas Rutten and other acclaimed coaches.
Check out bangmuaythai.com to learn more about the online academy.
There are also currently approximately 40 BMT affiliate gyms that teach the system worldwide.
Who is the Bang Muay Thai system for?
Really, Bang Muay Thai is for everyone.
The system and academy caters to all levels much like the traditional martial arts systems that bang muay thai is modeled on.
Therefore kids, weekend warriors, martial artists and high level fighters all can benefit greatly from learning the BMT system.
It is also excellent for those interested in learning or practicing at home.
Whether it be because of lack of access to gyms or other reasons, the bang muay thai system and online academy is really effective for those who train at home, solo.
