Brian Ortega has been ruled out of his UFC 303 co-main event with Diego Lopes.
However, in an unprecedented turn of events, Lopes will still be competing on the card. Stepping into his place on the shortest of notices is none other than Dan Ige. During the live broadcast, play-by-play man Jon Anik revealed that Lopes had re-weighed in so that his fight with ’50k’ could be sanctioned as a 165-pound catchweight bout.
https://x.com/ufc/status/1807226441727455240
Ige steps into the fight having won three of his last four, including a first-round knockout against Andre Fili in his last outing.
Round 1
After a slow start, Lopes goes first with a kick to the lead leg of Ige. ’50k’ closes the distance, but Lopes throws a barrage of strikes. Ige counters with a right hand that connects. 80 seconds into the fight, Lopes and Ige begin exchanging heavily in the center of the Octagon, but neither man lands clean. Lopes throws a three-punch combo, followed by another onslaught before going low again with a calf kick.
Ige has been hesitant to throw through a majority of the opening round as Lopes continues to put pressure on his opponent. Ige closes the distance, but Lopes makes him pay. With 30 seconds to go in the round, Ige shoots in for a takedown, but Lopes manages to get top control and secure an arm-in guillotine choke. Ige successfully defends and gets back to his feet just before the horn sounds.
Round 2
Lopes once again starts the round attacking the lead leg of Ige. That prompts Ige to switch stands and Lopes continues to stalk forward. Lopes goes low again and Ige attempts to give him his receipt, but that only invites Lopes to respond with a combination up top. Ige throws a high kick that partially lands, but it allows Lopes to take him down. Lopes takes Ige’s back and slaps on the body triangle.
Ige spends the rest of the round defending, but he does manage to land a few hard shots on Lopes from his back.
Round 3
Likely down 2-0, Ige picks up the pace in the early part of round three, swinging big and looking for another highlight-reel finish. Ige lands a solid right hand up against the fence and Lopes comes back with a jab. In an exchange against the cage, Lopes lands a stiff leg kick that stings Ige, allowing Lopes to shoot in for a takedown. Ige defends and Lopes is beginning to look fatigued as Ige pours on the pressure and lands a straight right.
Lopes again shoots in for a takedown and manages to get on Ige’s back. Ige breaks the grip and briefly separates, but chooses to take top control instead of forcing Lopes back to his feet. Lopes is exhausted as Ige lands some solid ground and pound strikes. With seconds left, Ige gets back to his feet. Lopes lands a clean upkick. Ige tries to respond as the clock runs out.
Official Result: Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes at UFC 303:
Dan Ige makes the walk on no notice for the #UFC303 co-main event, with Sean Strickland in his corner. pic.twitter.com/3HjKtPNCmo
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 30, 2024
https://x.com/MMASharke1/status/1807264540830158953
UFC always thankfull to Dan ige bravery #UFC303pic.twitter.com/TRbGj2MbVR
— ADITYA (@ADI_ONX) June 30, 2024
Diego Lopes and Dan Ige embrace after going the distance in a fight that wasn’t supposed to happen until hours ago. #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/0KAeSEpl7K
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 30, 2024
https://x.com/Infinity_MMA/status/1807268798610702438
