If anybody was loopy sufficient to struggle on 4 hours’ discover at UFC 303 after which flip round and compete once more only a few weeks later it will be Dan Ige however that received’t be the case for his return to motion.
The veteran featherweight made historical past this previous weekend when he accepted a struggle in opposition to Diego Lopes simply hours earlier than he would set foot within the octagon. He got here up brief in a choice however Ige earned a ton of respect for his willingness to not solely settle for the struggle however then giving Lopes every little thing he might deal with over three rounds.
Sadly, Ige did get banged up somewhat bit within the struggle, which prevents him from returning on July 20 when he was initially scheduled to conflict with Chepe Mariscal at a UFC Battle Night time card on the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The excellent news is UFC CEO Dana White stated he was prepared to provide Ige and Lopes just about no matter they needed subsequent after each stepped as much as save UFC 303.
“I imply shit at this very second my f*cking leg hurts however you by no means know. July 20 rolls round, I get up, roll away from bed, and really feel like combating that day,” Ige stated with amusing when talking to MMA Preventing. “However, realistically, I need to wait.
“I need to struggle on the Sphere. I believe my plan was to struggle July 20 and name out an opponent for the Sphere. I simply assume it is smart. What we did and getting Dana’s reassurance that we will have that, I’m going all in on that. We’ll see what occurs. Is it Diego? Is it Yair [Rodriguez]? Is it Chepe? I don’t know. I believe we’ll get a giant struggle. Whoever it’s, goes to be a giant struggle on the Sphere.”
UFC 306, which can also be the second ever Noche UFC occasion to have a good time Mexican Independence Day, takes place on the Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14.
White has teased the huge funding he made to make sure the UFC pulls off one of many best playing cards in historical past as the primary sporting occasion to happen inside the huge $2.3 billion area.
That’s precisely why Ige needs to affix that card and he’s open to no matter opponent the UFC throws at him.
Might that probably embody a rematch in opposition to Lopes with each fighters getting a full coaching camp to really put together for one another?
“You by no means know what’s going to occur from right here on out however we cemented our legacy proper there,” Ige stated about Lopes. “Will we struggle once more? I don’t know. He has an amazing quantity of respect for me, as I do for him. That being stated, it could possibly be enjoyable. You give us each time and alternative to recreation plan, to review one another, to each weigh in at 145 so there’s no bizarre variables. I’m not going to sit down right here and name him out like ‘I’d have had you if I had two extra minutes!’ As a result of it doesn’t matter.
“I assume we’ve simply received to sit down and wait and see what occurs. The UFC is intelligent and clearly they do their job very properly and might get shit carried out in 4 hours. To allow them to make one thing occur and I’m simply going to belief no matter they’re doing. We’ll see what occurs from right here on out.”
Over the previous few years, Ige discovered an uncanny knack at calling for particular opponents and the UFC granting his want. That was his plan when he had a struggle scheduled on July 20 with hopes that he would name his shot once more for UFC 306 in September.
Now, Ige looks like the nice will he’s earned with the UFC and the reward that he’s obtained from followers places him able the place he doesn’t want to say anybody by identify to land a marquee opponent.
“I don’t imagine I’ve to name out anybody at this level,” Ige stated. “Had I fought, whoever I fought on July 20 and win, I’ve to make that callout. However doing what I simply did on Saturday evening, now I’ve received the hype. I’ve received the hype now. That’s what individuals do. You need to steal individuals’s hype.
“I’ve seen Diego’s rise. I’m like I really like that struggle. As a result of I would like that. I would like the stardom. I would like the celebrity. We’ve each received it now. They match me with anybody, it’s going to be a giant struggle.”
Whereas he’s coping with a sore leg proper now, Ige has little doubt that he’ll be again within the fitness center quickly sufficient and due to his brief discover struggle at UFC 303, he’s even received a brand new contract to interrupt in when he competes once more.
“I had a one off settlement for this struggle particularly and I received a brand new contract,” Ige stated. “I’m going to receives a commission greater than I’ve ever been paid. I’m comfortable. I’m pleased with the place I’m at. The UFC did a terrific job of caring for me and at all times do.
“I’m taking this week simply to get well my physique and I’ll get proper again on the horse as a result of I’ve no severe accidents. My leg’s somewhat sore from this freaking man kicking it however exterior of that we’ll be good. I’ll be good to go when September rolls round.”
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