‘Dynamite’ Dan Ige (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was clear during media day, Monday, about his intentions heading into tonights fight against Calvin Kattar (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Island.
During his media day scrum, Ige was asked about the respect level towards Kattar heading into their main event. What he had to say, was not for the feint at heart.
“I do respect him,” Ige told reporters. “But in the cage, I don’t, because I’ll do anything to win. If I gotta bite his jugular, I’ll bite his jugular. Like I’m different, I’m out there, I’m gonna try to win. I’m gonna try to take your head off for every second of the fight. But he’s definitely talented, he’s skilled, he’s slick, he’s a finisher. So he’s dangerous, but I’m very aware. I know my distance well, and I can take the fight anywhere. I can take it to the ground, I can keep it standing, I can dictate where the fight takes place. So I feel like I’m counted out which is kind of nice, but I think I’m gonna go out there and shock a lot of people.”
It’s no secret that Ige has had his eyes set on a title shot for quite some time now. Since making his way into the UFC through competing on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2017, Ige has gone 6-1 and is currently riding a six-fight win streak in the featherweight division.
During media day, Ige had some interesting things to say about where he feels he will stand among the ranks in the division, after a big win against Kattar.
“I want to go out there, and show I’m a true contender, you know. That I am championship worthy, and I can very well do that. I have a huge opportunity, a big platform to do so, but with the way the division is tied up right now, these guys in the top five, they’re not active. These guys, a lot of them haven’t fought in one year, two years, and they’re still up there in the top rankings in the world, and a big win over Calvin Kattar, you know, make a big statement win could easily, very well get me a title shot. I will fight anyone, anywhere, anytime to get what I want, and that’s a world title,” Ige told reporters, Monday.
These two fighters have been on a fast-track ever since entering the UFC, and now they are entering their first five-round main event. It is safe to say that whoever wins tonight, will have nothing but big fights in the future, and possibly even earn themselves a title shot in their next fight.
Tune in to UFC Fight Island, tonight, Wed., July 15. Prelims start at 4 PM PDT, main card starts at 7 PM PDT. Fights can be streamed live on ESPN/ESPN+.
