Midnight Mania: Ige Saves UFC 303, Rewarded With Undefeated Killer In Abu Dhabi
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
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Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Remember UFC 303? Just about a month ago, the card fell apart a half-dozen times, forcing unprecedented actions from the promotion. When Brian Ortega pulled out of his scheduled co-main event versus Diego Lopes on the day of the event, UFC turned to Las Vegas local Dan Ige to save the card.
Ige, who wasn’t scheduled to fight for another few weeks, weighed in and fought on just four hour’s notice. He went to war opposite Lopes — himself a short-notice replacement as well — and ultimately lost a competitive decision to the rising star. In the immediate aftermath, Ige was showered with love from the community and promised a major opportunity in his next fight.
After the fight, both Lopes and Ige requested to fight at the Noche UFC event in the Las Vegas Sphere. Lopes received his wish and will face Brian Ortega next, but Ige didn’t make the cut. After the full fight card announcement, Ige reacted on social media graciously.
“A lot of people are upset at Dana or upset for me not being on the Sphere card,” Ige wrote. “I know it was a ‘promise’ but I believe there’s something bigger and better in store and I will have another fight this year. Thank you all for the love and support. We’re ending this year on a DUB!”
Now, Ige’s next match up has been announced. Per a report from MMAFighting, Ige will return to action opposite undefeated contender Lerone Murphy at UFC 308 inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 26, 2024. 6-0-1 inside the Octagon, Murphy has been rising up the ranks and most recently scored his first main event victory by decisioning Edson Barboza.
It’s a fun Featherweight fight between No. 14 and No. 11 in the 145-pound rankings, and overall, it’s a reasonable match up for both. At the same time, it’s hard to consider the match up a huge reward for Ige after saving a pay-per-view (PPV) event. Murphy is really good and not that well-known!
Hopefully, Ige has at least received a pay bump for his troubles.
Insomnia
Cory Sandhagen heard the critiques that he needs to be a more entertaining personality, and he’s taking action!
Cory Sandhagen was doing WWE finishing moves during his open workout #UFCAbuDhabi #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/SHbvT3q3Yz
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 31, 2024
Tom Aspinall has come a long way.
Tom Aspinall in 2016 announcing that he’s quitting MMA for boxing because he is struggling financially:
(yes that is Tommy Fury)
@IFLTV pic.twitter.com/dGHG9K6WRO— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) July 30, 2024
A level of spine flexion I will never achieve.
Never doubt the ability of a white belt to miraculously survive bad situations he puts himself in…
Here I give you, the exorcist escape from side control. And no. I won’t be trying, teaching or advising anyone to try this. pic.twitter.com/HEyyXG2LfP
— Bono Oliveira (@theoriginalbono) July 29, 2024
Dana cannot contain his enthusiasm for his new Welterweight champion.
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Charles Oliveira sparring footage is always so fun, “Do Bronx” is one of the most creative strikers in the business.
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Spirit punch!
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Slips, rips, and KO clips
It’s difficult to time and carries consequences if executed improperly, but a left liver kick under the right cross can be a devastating shot.
Perfect timing, devastating kick! #Yokkao #muaythai #fight pic.twitter.com/3CagD8G1Yr
— YOKKAO (@yokkaoboxing) July 31, 2024
The early days of “El Pantera!”
An MMA hidden gym. Yair Rodriguez pro MMA debut against Luis Daniel Gonzalez. This is probably the coolest discovery I’ve made since I joined the Sherdog Fight Finder team. pic.twitter.com/vIOhFCGAL2
— Edwin (@staygoldedwin) July 30, 2024
I already know his opponents and their fans are so irate.
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Random Land
New trolley problem just dropped.
many are asking pic.twitter.com/1BUJazncn4
— 10x’er (@10x_er) July 29, 2024
Midnight Music: Ballad, 1999
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
