Dan Ige Last weekend (June 29, 2024) at UFC 303, he accomplished the unthinkable.
What mixed martial arts (MMA) fans around the world are looking forward to Brian Ortega versus Diego Lopez An exciting featherweight semi-main event showdown was scheduled for International Fight Week 2024. Unfortunately for Ortega, that all suddenly changed.
Two-time title challenger Ortegee fell ill on the day of the fight and was forced to withdraw, but it was arguably the craziest fight ever to be arranged in UFC history. With just four hours' notice, UFC brought in fellow featherweight ranked Ige and miraculously booked him into a bout with Lopez. The judges scored Ige a unanimous decision loss after three rounds, but Ige's overall rating only increased.
“I didn't have any fight plan, I just went out there and had fun and I thought it was a pretty good fight,” Ige told MMA Junkie. “In a way it felt like I won. I won the fame, I won the fans, I won the support of UFC so it feels good. I don't usually feel like this after losing on Tuesday but the love and respect I got from the fans and the media is why I'm here now. It was a wild night.”
Prior to Ige's heroics, he was scheduled to return later this month (July 20, 2024) in Las Vegas. During his usual recovery routine, Ige recalled putting his cell phone on silent before the call was handed over to his wife, who is his manager and UFC CBO. Hunter Campbellcalled him 10 times.
When informed of the situation and the proposed fight, Ige didn't think he'd be able to step in. Instead, he quickly refueled with food and fluids and ran out to the arena to challenge for the 165-pound catchweight limit in a move we won't see again anytime soon, or ever.
“The masseuse was at the house and she massaged the whole family, but I was the last one to come,” Ige said. “I got to the massage table around 3pm. I had booked an hour and a half, but I never expected there to be an argument.
“I was preparing for Monday, recovering and preparing for Sunday and then on Monday preparing for the game. [on July 20]So I was just getting myself in shape,” he concluded.
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