LAS VEGAS – UFC CEO Dana White will grant Diego Lopes and Dan Ige their needs of competing on the Sphere.
With Brian Ortega unable to compete on this previous Saturday’s co-main occasion at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas because of sickness, Ige stepped in on 4 hours’ discover to face Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC). Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) rallied in Spherical 3 however wound up dropping a unanimous determination in a valiant effort.
White lauded each fighters for accepting to battle. Earlier than Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was dominated out, Lopes already accepted for his or her battle to shift from featherweight to light-weight.
“When you might have guys like Diego – the fellows that have been concerned within the co-main occasion tonight are simply absolute studs,” White informed reporters on the UFC 303 post-fight press convention. “Take into consideration this: Diego will get the decision, he’s (Ortega) not going to make weight, ‘No downside, I’ll take the battle.’ That proper there’s already mentally difficult. … What number of guys don’t settle for the battle and don’t do it.
“Then he will get the decision that he’s (Ortega) out, and we need to put any person else in, and he accepts the battle. And it’s a very totally different fashion than what he skilled for, and he nonetheless takes the battle. The man he was alleged to battle was ranked within the prime three. This man’s (Ige) like one above him. The psychological challenges that have been thrown at this child.”
Lopes recommended his battle with Ortega get rebooked Sept. 14 at UFC 306 from the Sphere. Ige additionally known as for a spot on the cardboard, and White is glad to oblige.
“You couldn’t have two larger studs than these two guys tonight,” White added. “Unimaginable. I do. I’ll do something for these guys. So yeah.”
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