Dan Ige Recounts Epic Short Notice Bout W/ Diego Lopes, Says He’d Do It Again

Dan Ige was planning on watching UFC 303 like the remainder of us … on the sofa. However earlier than the primary card kicked off … he discovered himself strolling into the sector to take a battle in opposition to Diego Lopes on 4 hours discover — and he tells TMZ Sports activities he would do it yet again!

We spoke with the 32-year-old fighter days after he saved the day for the UFC on its marquee card for Worldwide Battle Week. Ige stated he’s nonetheless using the excessive of the whole saga.

“The final 24 hours have been an emotional curler coaster,” he stated. “I used to be getting ready for an evening in three weeks. Then, simply getting the decision on 4 hours discover and making that stroll on such an enormous occasion, saving the cardboard, UFC 303 because the co-main occasion. 19,000 followers within the area, getting a standing ovation. What a second, what a chance.”

In case you missed it, Brian Ortega was slated to battle Lopes within the co-main occasion of UFC 303. Nevertheless, Ortega received sick the day of the battle and needed to withdraw. Scrambling to salvage the battle, the UFC known as the Las Vegas-based Ige to see if he may step in and battle at 165 lbs.

A brief automobile journey later … the shortest of brief discover battle was booked! Whereas Ige acknowledges that what he did was “cool and loopy,” he offers his props to Lopes for going by means of what he went by means of and nonetheless sticking on the cardboard.

“I learn every little thing this child went by means of. He minimize all the way down to 145, he rehydrated to [1]55, after which his opponent will get sick and falls out. So, he is in all probability considering I am not even preventing. Then they drop my identify into the hat. Even after they provided it to me, I used to be like, ‘This could’t even be actual.’”

The Thirteenth-ranked UFC featherweight stated they each walked out winners on the finish of the battle — calling it an “wonderful spectacle.”

Whereas he has no regrets about all of it, Ige would take pleasure in operating it again in opposition to the #14 ranked featherweight Lopes with time to organize — with an eye fixed in the direction of the UFC Mexican Independence Day card on the Sphere!

“Let’s do it truthful,” Ige stated. We’ll each minimize to 145, we’ll each put together, we’ll each sport plan for one another, and we’ll see what occurs. That was a detailed battle; he had his moments, and I had my moments, and I completed robust. We will make it 5 rounds!”