Strikeforce looks to match Phil Baroni and Duane Ludwig in early 2009

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

After delivering some payback in a long-awaited rematch with Sam Morgan earlier this month, Duane Ludwig is likely to bang with Phil Baroni (13-10) next.

The 30-year-old Ludwig (17-8) lived up to his "Bang" nickname in the fight against Morgan at "Strikeforce: Payback" on Oct. 3, wasting little time in punching out the former "The Ultimate Fighter 2" contestant in round one. The outcome evened the ledger between Ludwig and Morgan at a win apiece. Morgan upset the Colorado native in his home state in 2005.

It was a much-needed victory for Ludwig, who has struggled while fighting for Strikeforce. He’s now 2-3 in the promotion and appears headed for an opportunity to trade shots with Baroni.

"We're going to try to put him and Baroni together," Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said. "Since they're so close in weight now, we should definitely put that fight together at 170 (pounds). They should fight either in Denver or Seattle."

Baroni was scheduled to be on the "Strikeforce: Payback" card, as well, to face James Martinez. However, the former PRIDE and UFC fighter suffered an eyelid cut during a unanimous-decision victory over Olaf Alfonso in a Palace Fighting Championship bout on Sept. 26. The cut required stitches, forcing Baroni off the show.

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