LAS VEGAS (AP) — In an unexpected turn of events, Dan Ige stepped into the octagon at UFC 303 on short notice after an illness forced Brian Ortega to withdraw from his scheduled fight with Diego Lopes. Despite his valiant effort, Ige lost by a close decision.
Hours before the co-main event, Ortega was sidelined with a fever, leaving UFC officials scrambling for a replacement. Dan Ige, who was already in Las Vegas training for another fight, answered the call. All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Lopes, marking his 25th career victory against six losses.
“I’ve said before, whoever, wherever, I’ll fight anybody,” Lopes, a Brazilian fighter, declared through an interpreter after the fight.
| Dan Ige Steps Up as a Late Replacement, Narrowly Loses Decision at UFC 303 |
Ige's Heroic Effort Praised by Fans and Officials
Ige (18-8) received a rousing ovation from the crowd for his willingness to step in on such short notice. "I was like, 'Man, this is an opportunity to become a legend,'" Ige said post-fight. "This is a story I will tell my grandkids. I’d love to have won, but I couldn’t be happier."
UFC President Dana White praised Ige’s quick response, noting that the bout would likely have been canceled if Ige hadn't stepped up. “There would have been no other options,” White commented.
Smooth Approval Process Facilitated Ige's Participation
Jeff Mullen, executive director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, explained that because Ige had fought recently in Las Vegas on February 10, the approval process was expedited. “We already had his medicals and all his requirements completed,” Mullen said. “It was a perfectly approved matchup. I checked with the attorneys to make sure everything was in order.”
An Unexpected Opportunity
White joked about Ige's swift decision, suggesting that he was probably at home about to order the pay-per-view when he got the call. “It’s all about opportunity,” White emphasized. “He jumped at it. Who’s hotter than Lopes right now?”
UFC 303 Main Event Highlights
The Ortega-Lopes fight was originally a replacement for a bout between Jamahal Hill and Carlos Ulberg, which was canceled due to Hill’s knee injury during training. The main event of UFC 303 saw light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defend his title against top-ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka, continuing the excitement of the night.
Dan Ige’s story at UFC 303 is a testament to the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts and the spirit of fighters who seize opportunities, no matter how sudden they arise.