Las Vegas, NV – Nobody has to tell UFC featherweight Dan Ige that his fight this Saturday night at UFC Vegas 67 against Damon Jackson is very important for his career.
The 5-year UFC vet is currently on a three-fight losing streak coming into his fight at the UFC APEX against Jackson.
“It’s definitely frustrating. I haven’t had a win in almost two years. A guy that does everything in his power, everything in my training, all my preparations. What I put in my body, my sleep, the amount of money I invest into myself, in my training, in my coaches,” Ige told Cageside Press among other media at on Wednesday.
“And to not get a victory in however long it’s been, since March what 2021, it’s frustrating.”
Ige (15-6) has been through a tough stretch. After snapping a 6-fight win streak he has gone 1-4 in his last 5 bouts.
“I’ve picked myself down to the core. You go back and say ‘why did I lose that one?’. I can’t lose more than two in a row. Then I lose two, then I lose three. It’s super frustrating,” Ige said.
“But I think through that time I’ve really…kind of went back and dissected myself. It’s hard not to, right?”
A bright spot for Ige this Saturday night will be fighting on the same card as good friend Punahele Soriano who takes on Roman Kopylov just before Ige takes the octagon.
“Honestly that’s the most exciting thing about this whole week is just getting to compete with one of my best friends in the world. Puna and I have grown up together since our early teens. Went to high school together, rode the bus together every single day. About an hour bus ride from 7-11 to our school,” said Ige.
“He was wrestling before me, but when I started wrestling we’d take the bus home every day like late at night. 7,8, 9pm and just talk about being in the UFC. Even if we didn’t truly believe it, we’d talk about it, and dream about it.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Dan Ige above. Ige takes on Damon Jackson in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 67 on Saturday Jan. 14 at the UFC APEX.
