Tag: Dan Ige

UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs

We’re deep into UFC 308 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 26 to take to the stage and answer some questions. The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the main attraction will […]

Continue Reading UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs at MMA News.

We’re deep into UFC 308 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on October 26 to take to the stage and answer some questions.

The MMA leader’s latest numbered event takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where the main attraction will see UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria put his belt on the line against Max Holloway.

Setting the stage for the UFC 308 headliners will be crucial five-round contest at 185 pounds, with former kingpin Robert Whittaker looking to blemish the thus-far perfect professional record of Khamzat Chimaev.

Also on pay-per-view will be top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev, who will look to finally secure a shot at Alex Pereira by getting the better of Aleksandar Raki?. That’s in addition to rising featherweight Lerone Murphy, who returns following a main event win over Edson Barboza to do battle with Dan Ige.

The UFC 308 main card will open with Shara Magomedov making his third walk to the Octagon in quick succession. “Bullet” will look to continue his winning start to life in the UFC against a fellow kickboxing specialist in Armen Petrosyan.

As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference.

Check out a full replay of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.

UFC 308 Press Conference Highlights

UFC 308 Press Conference Faceoffs

Continue Reading UFC 308: Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway Press Conference Highlights & Faceoffs at MMA News.

Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him. UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes […]

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him.

UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes in the co-main event all within the space of a few hours.

After receiving the call from his fighter, Nicksick (who was already cornering on the card), immediately got to work in order to make this happen.

He picked up his fighter’s cup from Xtreme Couture and under Ige’s instructions, assembled a corner on short notice.

Nicksick quickly arranged to meet with both Kai Kamaka III and Sean Strickland who he knew were in Vegas, breaking up the former middleweight champion’s lunch date with his girlfriend.

All of these details and more recently came out when he gave his side to this incredible story.

Eric Nicksick Says Dan Ige Is Always Looking And Staying Ready For Opportunities Like This

During his appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Nicksick detailed what the crazy turnaround of UFC 303 looked like from his perspective.

He also revealed that taking fights on short notice to try and save the card is something that Ige regularly has his eye on in case something exactly like this happens.

With him being in shape and training out of Las Vegas, he was the perfect fighter to step in for Brian Ortega who withdrew due to illness.

“Here’s the thing about Dan. Every card, he’ll look at the landscape of the division or the card, for example, and be like, ‘hey this dude at 55, there’s these two fights at 45, whatever. Take a peek at it, let me know if something comes up short notice, I’m always down to take these types of fights, especially if the juice is worth the squeeze’ and in this particular situation, it was and he jumped on it man.”

Nicksick also said that though they didn’t get the win, he’s glad that Ige was able to pull this off because it shows what’s possible if you’re prepared.

He went from any old Saturday to fighting in the co-main event of International Fight Week all because he was ready to stick his hand up when the UFC called and said they needed a guy.

“That’s what makes me the most proud about the situation is that anytime there’s an opportunity like that, our team can pick up the phone and answer the call. Chris Curtis, Sean Strickland, Roman Dolidze, Dan Ige, you know, and I think it sets a precedence amongst the rest of the team to know what is possible if you’re f****** prepared and you’re ready to go and you’re doing all the right things day in and day out, even if you’re outside of camp. Those opportunities come once in a lifetime and are you willing to open the door when that door knocks.”        

Read also: MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him. UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes […]

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

On June 30, Eric Nicksick knew that he would be heading to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas but he didn’t realize that Dan Ige would be coming with him.

UFC 303 produced one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the promotion as Ige agreed to step in and face Diego Lopes in the co-main event all within the space of a few hours.

After receiving the call from his fighter, Nicksick (who was already cornering on the card), immediately got to work in order to make this happen.

He picked up his fighter’s cup from Xtreme Couture and under Ige’s instructions, assembled a corner on short notice.

Nicksick quickly arranged to meet with both Kai Kamaka III and Sean Strickland who he knew were in Vegas, breaking up the former middleweight champion’s lunch date with his girlfriend.

All of these details and more recently came out when he gave his side to this incredible story.

Eric Nicksick Says Dan Ige Is Always Looking And Staying Ready For Opportunities Like This

During his appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, Nicksick detailed what the crazy turnaround of UFC 303 looked like from his perspective.

He also revealed that taking fights on short notice to try and save the card is something that Ige regularly has his eye on in case something exactly like this happens.

With him being in shape and training out of Las Vegas, he was the perfect fighter to step in for Brian Ortega who withdrew due to illness.

“Here’s the thing about Dan. Every card, he’ll look at the landscape of the division or the card, for example, and be like, ‘hey this dude at 55, there’s these two fights at 45, whatever. Take a peek at it, let me know if something comes up short notice, I’m always down to take these types of fights, especially if the juice is worth the squeeze’ and in this particular situation, it was and he jumped on it man.”

Nicksick also said that though they didn’t get the win, he’s glad that Ige was able to pull this off because it shows what’s possible if you’re prepared.

He went from any old Saturday to fighting in the co-main event of International Fight Week all because he was ready to stick his hand up when the UFC called and said they needed a guy.

“That’s what makes me the most proud about the situation is that anytime there’s an opportunity like that, our team can pick up the phone and answer the call. Chris Curtis, Sean Strickland, Roman Dolidze, Dan Ige, you know, and I think it sets a precedence amongst the rest of the team to know what is possible if you’re f****** prepared and you’re ready to go and you’re doing all the right things day in and day out, even if you’re outside of camp. Those opportunities come once in a lifetime and are you willing to open the door when that door knocks.”        

Read also: MMA Analyst Dismisses Ilia Topuria’s Champ-Champ Aspirations

Continue Reading Inside UFC 303: Coach’s Perspective on Dan Ige’s Pivotal Fight at MMA News.

Dan Ige Has Return After Same-Day Notice Diego Lopes Scrap In The Works For Abu Dhabi-Held UFC 308

While he didn’t get the next assignment he was after, UFC featherweight fan favorite Dan Ige does appear to have a major matchup in the calendar. Ige, who currently occupies the #14 spot at 145 pounds, made headlines last month when he replaced Brian Ortega on fight day to share the Octagon with Diego Lopes […]

Continue Reading Dan Ige Has Return After Same-Day Notice Diego Lopes Scrap In The Works For Abu Dhabi-Held UFC 308 at MMA News.

While he didn’t get the next assignment he was after, UFC featherweight fan favorite Dan Ige does appear to have a major matchup in the calendar.

Ige, who currently occupies the #14 spot at 145 pounds, made headlines last month when he replaced Brian Ortega on fight day to share the Octagon with Diego Lopes in the UFC 303 co-main event.

Although he fell short on the scorecards, the Hawaiian was widely praised for his efforts and seemingly promised something big next time out. Ige was hoping for that to be an appearance at the upcoming Sphere event in September.

That, however, has not come to fruition. Instead, per MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, a clash between Ige and the #11-ranked Lerone Murphy is in the works for the UFC 308 pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi on October 26.

The pair were originally set to collide this past February, but an injury to Murphy forced him out on late notice.

Murphy, Ige Target Featherweight Top 10 In Rearranged Clash

Should this fight come to fruition for the Etihad Arena later this year, Murphy will be looking to defend his position on the ladder and keep his hopes of a spot in the featherweight top 10 alive.

Murphy (14-0-1) has long been touted as one of the most promising up-and-comers at 145 pounds, with wins over the likes of Ricardo Ramos and Joshua Culibao paving the way for his entry into the rankings. And the undefeated Brit recorded his biggest win to date this past May, beating Edson Barboza in his maiden main event at the Apex.

If “Iceman” is to keep his 0 and stake his claim for a spot in title contention, he must send Ige (18-8) to a losing skid. The 32-year-old has exchanged wins and losses in recent times, outpointing Nate Landwehr and violently stopping Andre Fili, but falling short against Movsar Evloev and Lopes.

With the spotlight on him following the events of International Fight Week, Ige will look to return to winning ways in a big way and begin a resurgence up the featherweight pecking order.

Continue Reading Dan Ige Has Return After Same-Day Notice Diego Lopes Scrap In The Works For Abu Dhabi-Held UFC 308 at MMA News.

Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’

For his short-notice co-main event fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Eric Nicksick was in Dan Ige’s corner. By coaching two former UFC champs, Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland, Nicksick has gained a ton of acclaim in MMA circles. At UFC 303, the coach had an unprecedented challenge as Ige only had four hours […]

Continue Reading Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’ at MMA News.

For his short-notice co-main event fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Eric Nicksick was in Dan Ige’s corner. By coaching two former UFC champs, Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland, Nicksick has gained a ton of acclaim in MMA circles.

At UFC 303, the coach had an unprecedented challenge as Ige only had four hours to weigh in, rehydrate, and, well, also figure out his in-fight strategy. Their goal was to fight on instincts which, to be fair, worked pretty well.

Showing his durability, “50k” survived Lopes’ explosive striking and constricting ground game in the first two rounds and outstruck the Brazilian in the third. A last-minute adjustment suggested by coach Nicksick worked against him, though, and may have cost him the UFC 303 co-main event.

Eric Nicksick Looks Back At Mistake That Likely Cost Dan Ige A Round Against Diego Lopes At UFC 303

Nicksick and Ige appeared on the UFC 303 recap episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast uploaded on the DraftKings YouTube channel. Remembering the fight, Nicksick admitted that he shouldn’t have asked Ige to throw a head kick.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been having a little bit of sleepless nights because I f****d up going into round. In round two, I called for the same side head kick. Something that I thought, because no one’s ever seen Dan throw it.”

Nicksick expected the side head kick to surprise Lopes as Ige had only recently added the move to his arsenal. “50k” followed these instructions two minutes into the second round. The kick landed but also helped Lopes secure a takedown.

“It was the same side high when Dan went southpaw. And he threw it, and the shin bone landed on this dude’s head but we got taken down. And I looked over at Kai and I’m like, I just f****d us. Dude, my gut, I was like, I just f****d this man, my heart hurt.”

Despite the takedown and three minutes of control time, Ige constantly fought off his back and prevented his opponent from submitting him.

Unfortunately, due to the takedown, the round was scored by the judges for Lopes. And despite comfortably winning the third round, Ige lost a unanimous decision 29-28 on all scorecards.

Continue Reading Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’ at MMA News.

Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’

For his short-notice co-main event fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Eric Nicksick was in Dan Ige’s corner. By coaching two former UFC champs, Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland, Nicksick has gained a ton of acclaim in MMA circles. At UFC 303, the coach had an unprecedented challenge as Ige only had four hours […]

Continue Reading Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’ at MMA News.

For his short-notice co-main event fight with Diego Lopes at UFC 303, Eric Nicksick was in Dan Ige’s corner. By coaching two former UFC champs, Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland, Nicksick has gained a ton of acclaim in MMA circles.

At UFC 303, the coach had an unprecedented challenge as Ige only had four hours to weigh in, rehydrate, and, well, also figure out his in-fight strategy. Their goal was to fight on instincts which, to be fair, worked pretty well.

Showing his durability, “50k” survived Lopes’ explosive striking and constricting ground game in the first two rounds and outstruck the Brazilian in the third. A last-minute adjustment suggested by coach Nicksick worked against him, though, and may have cost him the UFC 303 co-main event.

Eric Nicksick Looks Back At Mistake That Likely Cost Dan Ige A Round Against Diego Lopes At UFC 303

Nicksick and Ige appeared on the UFC 303 recap episode of the Anik & Florian Podcast uploaded on the DraftKings YouTube channel. Remembering the fight, Nicksick admitted that he shouldn’t have asked Ige to throw a head kick.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been having a little bit of sleepless nights because I f****d up going into round. In round two, I called for the same side head kick. Something that I thought, because no one’s ever seen Dan throw it.”

Nicksick expected the side head kick to surprise Lopes as Ige had only recently added the move to his arsenal. “50k” followed these instructions two minutes into the second round. The kick landed but also helped Lopes secure a takedown.

“It was the same side high when Dan went southpaw. And he threw it, and the shin bone landed on this dude’s head but we got taken down. And I looked over at Kai and I’m like, I just f****d us. Dude, my gut, I was like, I just f****d this man, my heart hurt.”

Despite the takedown and three minutes of control time, Ige constantly fought off his back and prevented his opponent from submitting him.

Unfortunately, due to the takedown, the round was scored by the judges for Lopes. And despite comfortably winning the third round, Ige lost a unanimous decision 29-28 on all scorecards.

Continue Reading Eric Nicksick Admits Last-Minute Technique Advice To Dan Ige May Have Cost Him UFC 303 Fight Against Diego Lopes: ‘My Heart Hurt…’ at MMA News.