A late push in the third round propelled Dan Ige to victory at UFC on ESPN 8 in an entertaining contest against Edson Barboza.
Welcoming Edson Barboza to the UFC’s featherweight division on Saturday night was Dan Ige. The Hawaiian, finally getting some respect thanks to a five-fight win streak, was the man tasked with facing the longtime lightweight, as the Brazilian made the cut to 145lbs for the first time. Going down at UFC on ESPN 8 in Jacksonville, Florida, the bout could leave the winner just inside the official rankings.
Dan Ige got to work right away, getting in the face of Barboza and landing several combinations. Barboza saw a window and took advantage, dropping Ige with a right hand. Barboza jumped on top and laded a slew of hammerfists, but Ige got out of the way of enough of them to survive. Barboza allowed him to stand up and Ige started firing his combinations again. However, heavy blows were landing for Barboza here and there, including his patented leg kick. Ige clinched up briefly, then separated. A good first round for both fighters, especially for Barboza with the knockdown.
Wasting 𝐍𝐎 time in his new home 🤯 #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/0mNSlPp753
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2020
Ige again started quickly, landing a powerful two-punch combination right out of the gate. Barboza fired back with a heavy body kick. Ige pushed forward and got Barboza against the fence briefly. Barboza countered with a Thai clinch and landed a few heavy knees to the body. Ige broke loose and hit Barboza with a clean shot that looked to wobble Barboza temporarily. Barboza wasn’t going anywhere landing more than his fair share of big shots. A body kick damaged Ige and he shot for a desperation takedown, pulling guard in the process. He had to avoid some hammerfists to survive the round.
Throwin' 𝙃𝘼𝙉𝘿𝙎!
💵 @DynamiteDan808 is coming out aggressive in RD2. #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/rbnqmIotDS
— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2020
Barboza was the fresher man in the third round. He landed a body kick and a quick combo followed by another body kick. Ige was swinging for the fences and Barboza was real loose. Barboza continued to pressure Ige, getting him against the cage with a Thai clinch and landing a knee. Ige reset and landed a powerful straight right followed by a left. Barboza answered with a straight punch of his own as Ige was kicking. Barboza pounded the leg of Ige with a great kick, but Ige pushed right through and got a takedown. He landed the little ground-and-pound he could to cap off an entertaining contest.
Dan Ige def. Edson Barboza by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
