No Sphere! UFC 303 savior Dan Ige shipped to Abu Dhabi, rewarded with undefeated killer

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.

He felt like a winner.

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!

Tom Aspinall has come a long way.

A level of spine flexion I will never achieve.

Dana cannot contain his enthusiasm for his new Welterweight champion.

Charles Oliveira sparring footage is always so fun, “Do Bronx” is one of the most creative strikers in the business.

Spirit punch!

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.

The early days of “El Pantera!”

I already know his opponents and their fans are so irate.

Random Land

New trolley problem just dropped.

Midnight Music: Ballad, 1999

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.