Dan Ige returns to the Octagon at UFC Houston with a sense of urgency. After a tough loss to Patricio Pitbull last year, the veteran featherweight faces rising Brazilian contender Melquizael Costa in a pivotal bout that could determine whether Ige remains in the crowded 145-pound rankings or slides further from contention.
“Yeah, don’t hang around in a cradle for 30 seconds. That’s really what it came down to,” Ige told reporters, including Cageside Press, on Wednesday.
“The first round wasn’t much, but that’s what it came down to. 30 seconds of ground control. Round 2 he hurt me, round 3 I hurt him, I finished the fight strong. I didn’t make the decision, but what do I need to work on? You keep getting better and moving on. I’m not going to dwell on the past.”
Ijg (19-10) is taking on an up-and-coming competitor in Costa, and while many are buying into the prospect’s hype, Ige is certainly not. Costa will have to prove it to the experienced fighter.
“I mean, it’s just a fight. I don’t really care about the rankings or the hype and the win streaks. Every fight is a different puzzle. We go out there and prepare the best we can. I’m sure he’ll be hungry and eager. He probably wants to get a number next to his name. He’s definitely earned a shot with a five-fight win streak,” he said.
“He looks great, but he’s facing me on Saturday night and has to deal with me. I don’t really listen to the noise too much. I just go out there and do my job and try to put him away like everyone else.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Dan Ige above. He will face Melquizael Costa on Saturday night at UFC Houston.
#Dan #Ige #wont #dwell #Patricio #Pitbull #loss #focusing #statement #win #UFC #Houston