Dan Ige feels ‘written off,’ wants to prove he’s still one of the best

January 13, 2023

in MMA

Reading Time: 3 mins read

LAS VEGAS – Dan Ige finds himself in unfamiliar territory forward of UFC Battle Night time 217.

Ige (15-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) will look to snap a three-fight dropping skid when he faces Damon Jackson (22-4-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) in Saturday’s co-main occasion on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

At one level, Ige was on a six-fight successful streak heading into his first important occasion with Calvin Kattar in July 2020. However after dropping 4 of his previous 5, Ige desires to remind everybody – and himself that he’s nonetheless a high contender.

“I feel most vital for me is simply to go on the market and have enjoyable,” Ige advised reporters, together with MMA Junkie, at UFC Battle Night time 217 media day. “I actually love this sport, I like what I do, and I’ve skilled burnout simply by means of coaching daily. It sucks chopping weight on a regular basis.

“So I’ve skilled that finish, however I simply need to exit and show myself that I nonetheless have it, I’m nonetheless probably the greatest. I do really feel written off by lots of people and that’s fantastic. I positively need to go on the market and show one thing that I’m probably the greatest on the earth.”

A 3-fight dropping skid typically means a fighter could also be on the chopping block. However Ige says he places stress on himself to win whatever the circumstances, and he’s solely specializing in the current.

“I don’t block it out, I all the time really feel some kind of stress and it’s largely the stress I placed on myself,” Ige mentioned. “By nature, I’m a perfectionist. So, I do every little thing I’m supposed to do this’s proper in my thoughts. I don’t see this like I’ve to win or I’m going to lose my job, what am I gonna do. I’ve realized and I’ve realized that my id doesn’t finish as a fighter.”

He continued, “I’m in my prime. I’m loving this, I’m having fun with this, so if I can simply go on the market and carry out and be free, that’s the perfect Dan Ige you’re gonna see.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Night time 217.