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Strikeforce, the California-based promotional firecracker responsible for the mixed martial arts North American attendance record set in March, is trying to reproduce that immense explosion with its card this Friday.

Arranging what appears to be a stellar night of action, the main event features a moderately-awaited rematch between former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort and the last man to beat him, Alistair Overeem.

But that’s not the only fight of note on the 10-bout card.

Duane Ludwig, one of the most accomplished fighters in North American Muay Thai history, will also test his mettle against an up-and-coming Tyson Griffin, in a quintessential crossroads battle.

Though Ludwig is a mere 27 years old, his career has been up and down. He is, however, coming off an 11-second knockout victory in the UFC.

Griffin, still learning the ropes in this sport, has yet to breakthrough to the MMA masses. A sensational wrestler before he decided to convert to mixed martial arts, Griffin sports a deadly ground-and-pound attack that would make PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko proud.

To say the showdown between Ludwig and Griffin is alluring would be a gross understatement and it’s a battle that could easily steal the thunder away from Belfort-Overeem. After such a magnificent entry into MMA, one wonders if Strikeforce can eventually compete with Zuffa’s Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is just a stone’s throw across the desert in Las Vegas.

“I try not to get involved with the promotions and everything surrounding the event,� Ludwig said matter-of-factly to Sherdog.com when asked about another possible 18,265 fans showing up to San Jose, Calif.’s HP Pavilion.

“My job is to fight on the ninth against Tyson Griffin and that is all I really care about. No disrespect, but I have to concentrate on my own fight rather than the show and its audience.�

If Ludwig seems a bit standoffish, that’s just his calm demeanor. Ludwig has never been the sort of bloke to ham it up for the camera or attract all sorts of unneeded attention. But what about his last fight, which was almost a record for the quickest knockout in UFC history? Surely the suits in Zuffa’s suits would clamor to re-sign him.

“The UFC and I do not have a contract,� Ludwig stated. “They made an offer but it was not to my liking. My contract with Strikeforce is a bit better all around than what the UFC offered me.�

And speaking of the UFC, Ludwig’s mentor Bas Rutten (Pictures), a former UFC heavyweight champion, has recently announced that he is coming out of retirement.

Bas and Duane have been virtually inseparable since Ludwig was a young lion storming into the arena, but their relationship, while still on excellent terms, isn’t what it used to be. Rutten doesn’t train Ludwig like a few years back, but the Muay Thai fighter is thrilled to see his sensei back in action.

“Bas’s return is going to be great,â€? Ludwig said through a smile. “I’m glad to see him back. Since I have been training here in Colorado, his return has not affected my training because we have not been working out together, but we keep in touch and I know he is training hard and smart. My wife and I will be there for his return just like when he has been there for me. I will always be there for him.â€?

Ludwig might need to have the legendary Dutch madman in his corner when the bell signals the start of his contest with Griffin.

While not a well-known fighter, Griffin is a fierce young competitor and hungry to become the world’s best. Like they say, to be the best, you have to beat the best, and when it comes to striking, few in the sport are better than Ludwig.

“He’s a world-class striker and luckily I have been able to work with a bunch of guys even before this fight,� Griffin said. “I’ve been working with this Muay Thai fighter from the village of Yakoot, which is in Siberia. He came down and worked with us for about six months. He’s never fought anywhere inside the United States — only places like Cambodia, Thailand, etc. He had a real great Muay Thai game, which he brought to our camp and I got to experience that for a long time.�

“I know I’m not on the same level as Duane as far as experience and technique,� Griffin continued, “but I definitely know what’s in front of me. I know what’s coming at me and it’s going to be a great test.�

The cynic would typically question Griffin’s credentials. Couple that with the fact that Ludwig has been a successful mixed martial artist for several years and the Coloradoan appears to be a clear favorite.

But according to Griffin, he is a natural athlete and a decorated wrestler with vicious ground attacks. He’s undefeated and is on the brink of exploding onto the MMA scene.

“I’m basically an all around athlete and I’m getting good at the things I wasn’t good at,� Griffin explained. “When I first started fighting, I was just a wrestler, period. I kind of fell into jiu-jitsu over with David Terrell and I slowly got into the fight game from there. But when I did start [seriously] doing it, I realized that I really wasn’t good on my feet. So I learned the stand-up game and it was fun to do that.

“I’m constantly learning and doing new things, training with different people and getting new skills. I’m basically a fighter that loves to get better.�