Dan Ige thinks a win over Patricio Pitbull would be like beating one of the top five best featherweights in the world.
After securing a third-round knockout against Sean Woodson in April, Ige will look to add a big name to his resume when he meets the former two-division Bellator champion as part of a stacked UFC 318 lineup in New Orleans.
“I thought it made sense given who he is—one of the best in the world,” Ige said in a MiddleEasy exclusive interview with James Lynch. “He fell a little short in his debut.”
Pitbull made his long-awaited Octagon debut at UFC 314, squaring off with former interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez. Unfortunately for Pitbull, he came up short against Rodriguez, but despite the setback, Ige still sees a lot of value in getting a win over the Brazilian bruiser.
“I watched Jeremy Kennedy fight him,” Pitbull continued. “That was [Pitbull’s] last fight before coming to the UFC, and you never know. He’s one of those guys who came over, new in the division—him and [Aaron] Pico. He’s an absolute legend.”
Getting a win over a name like Patricio Pitbull would be a massive feather in Ige’s cap, but ’50K’ recognizes that it’s unlikely to do much for him in terms of getting back into the title picture at 155.
“He’s a name, but he doesn’t have a number,” Ige said. “I still see him as a top-five guy, though he’s got no official ranking.”
Dan Ige Thinks the Winner of Aaron Pico vs. Movsar Evloev Will Be Volkanovski’s Next Challenger
With Yair Rodriguez’s win over Pitbull earlier this year, there has been much talk about him getting a second crack at reigning featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.
Considering Rodriguez is just 1-1 since coming up short against ‘The Great’ in 2023, fight fans aren’t exactly thrilled about the idea of a rematch. Asked who he believes should get the nod, Dan Ige thinks it’ll ultimately come down to a July 26 clash between Movsar Evloev and another former Bellator star—Aaron Pico.
“Honestly, I think it’ll come down to [Evloev] and Pico fighting and how that fight plays out,” Ige continued. “I think no matter who wins out of that fight will kind of cut the line. I do believe Movsar should have got the shot, but I understand the politics and the way—I don’t know. Volk already beat Yair, but he had a great performance. I’m not saying he’s not deserving. He’s definitely deserving, but he has fought Volk already for the title.
“If Pico goes out there and knocks out Evloev, he’s going to cement himself for a title shot. Or the other way around. If Movsar goes out there and puts on a dominant performance, how do you deny him?”
While Ige vs. Pitbull will co-main event UFC 318 on July 19, former three-time lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier will take center stage as he steps inside the Octagon for the final time. Standing across from him will be a familiar foe—former featherweight world champion Max Holloway.
It will be the third meeting between Poirier and Holloway. ‘The Diamond’ came out on top in their first two meetings, but Ige thinks it’ll be Holloway’s night in NOLA.
“Max has been looking great, but it’s Poirier’s last fight,” Ige said. “You’d hate to see the guy lose. Why does someone have to lose? I don’t know. I think it’s going to be a really great fight, but I’m gonna take Max Holloway.”
Check out the full exclusive interview below:
