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Dan Ige and Edson Barboza faced each other in a Featherweight clash tonight (Sat., May 16, 2020) at UFC on ESPN 8, which took place inside Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Following a fun fight, Ige was awarded the split-decision victory.
Ige opened the bout with a big pair of hooks. Barboza ripped a knee to the mid-section. Ige connected on an overhand and a body shot. Barboza countered his foe with an elbow then dropped him with a heavy right hand! From within the guard, Barboza dropped some hard punches. Nasty series of hammerfists from the Brazilian. Barboza allowed his foe back up. Body hook, head hook land for Barboza. Ige scored with a heavy body kick. Barboza attacked the lead leg for the first time just before the midway point. Ige punched the midsection effectively. Ripping low kick from the Brazilian. Big left hook from Barboza rocked Ige, who then ripped the body well. Good switch kick landed for Barboza. It was a strong opening frame for “Junior.”
Stiff jabs and a clean right opened the second round for Ige, but Barboza fired back with a low kick. Ripping body kick scored for Ige, who then dug into the thigh himself. Barboza kicked the leg a moment later. Ige scored with a right then drove his foe into the fence. Barboza landed some hard knees from the double-collar tie. Ige cracked his foe with a heavy right hand. Barboza landed two low kicks, ate a combination. Ige dug into the leg once more. Ige landed a good elbow in the clinch, then Barboza stuffed a takedown. The two traded right hands. Hard body kick from Barboza backed Ige off, prompting a takedown into guard pull from the Hawaiian. Barboza like stole a close round with his strikes from top position in the final 15 seconds.
Barboza attacked the body to start the final frame. Ige stuck his foe with a jab. Low kick from the Hawaiian. Barboza landed another switch kick to the mid-section. Barboza latched onto the clinch again, attacking with knees. Barboza ripped a left hook and switch kick to the liver. Good right hand from Ige, followed by a hard jab. Heavy low kick landed for Barboza. Ige whiffed on a big right hand, ate a jab. Ige scored a takedown from the clinch! Ige landed some solid ground strikes and worked to pass guard, but Barboza maintained his butterfly guard. The fight ended with Ige in top position.
Edson Barboza seemingly made good on his Featherweight debut, appearing to steal the decision with his brutal body kick at the end of the second. However, the judges went against him, and Ige instead continues his rise up the ranks.
Result: Dan Ige defeats Edson Barboza via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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