Diego Lopes had a whirlwind couple of days resulting in his battle at UFC 303 however the extremely touted featherweight contender stored his successful streak alive regardless of a valiant effort from Dan Ige, who accepted the battle just some hours earlier.
With Brian Ortega sick and unable to compete, Lopes opted to remain on the cardboard in opposition to Ige, who lives close by and answered the decision when the UFC wanted him to save lots of the day. Even with no likelihood to really put together for Lopes a lot much less a 3 spherical battle, Ige placed on a very sport efficiency.
That mentioned, Lopes showcased sturdy placing and a dominant grappling sport via the primary 10 minutes with Ige storming again and giving him all the pieces he might deal with within the ultimate spherical. Nonetheless, Lopes did sufficient to get the job accomplished with all three judges scoring the battle 29-28 in his favor.
“Dan Ige, thanks a lot, brother,” Lopes mentioned after his win. “All of the respect to Dan Ige. Not many fighters take a battle on three hours’ discover. Whomever, every time, nonetheless, I’ll battle anyone. It doesn’t matter. I’ll battle anyone.”
There was no feeling out course of as Lopes and Ige each got here out throwing heavy leather-based from the primary change. Lopes confirmed his measurement and attain benefit as he launched his assaults from the skin however Ige was greater than prepared to commerce with him, particularly when he closed the gap.
Lopes was throwing with such power behind each strikes however Ige did job maintain his arms as much as play protection with out letting an excessive amount of slip via. Late within the opening spherical, Ige went for a takedown, which led to a guillotine choke try that changed into a D’arce choke.
Whereas the submission threatened him for a second, Ige stayed affected person and calm earlier than breaking free to make it to the second spherical.
On the restart, Lopes started focusing on the lead leg with a collection of blistering kicks that resulted in some fast harm exhibiting on Ige’s calf. A scramble led to a grappling change with Lopes leaping on the again earlier than locking on a physique triangle.
Ige continued to defend very properly however Lopes was not giving up the place with no wrestle. Simply earlier than the spherical ended, Ige simply began throwing punches backward seeking to harm Lopes nonetheless potential till the horn sounded.
On the urging of his nook, Ige began to let his arms go underneath the belief that he was down two rounds and wanted a end to get the win. That led to Ige launching a nasty straight proper that snapped Lopes’ head again for his greatest punch up to now within the battle.
Ige related with one other stiff shot and that compelled Lopes to dive for the takedown to attempt to sluggish the motion. When he couldn’t get the takedown, Ige truly landed on high and he started hammering away with punches and elbows with a number of slipping via Lopes’ protection.
Sadly, Ige simply couldn’t inflict sufficient harm to really sway the battle in his favor however he undoubtedly earned everyone’s respect along with his efficiency and one way or the other coming again to win that third spherical.
“It doesn’t matter — eight weeks, six weeks, 4 weeks, 4 hours, it doesn’t matter,” Ige shouted. “That is what I stay for. This is a chance to grow to be a legend. To point out up on 4 hours’ discover at Worldwide Combat Week …. I couldn’t be happier with my efficiency.”
Contemplating he was getting ready for a tall, rangy grappler like Ortega and he ended up with a shorter, energy puncher in Ige, Lopes deserves quite a lot of credit score for even competing on Saturday and risking his win streak. Now he’s seeking to both settle some unfinished enterprise with Ortega or maybe draw a former featherweight champion in his subsequent outing.
“I spoke to the UFC, put me on the Sphere,” Lopes mentioned referencing Noche UFC in September. “Is it going to be Ortega? Is it going to be [Alexander] Volkanovski? I’m prepared for it.”
