Dan Ige spoils Edson Barboza’s featherweight debut earning a split decision win
Edson Barboza loses featherweight debut to Dan Ige by split decision
The UFC continues its COVID-19 comeback with UFC on ESPN 8 tonight, Saturday, May 16
Heavyweights Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris headline the event at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. In the co-main event, Claudia Gadelha looks to stop Angela Hill’s three-fight win streak.
Right before the main and co-main event, UFC veteran Edson Barboza returns to the octagon to face Dan Ige.
Barboza will be making his featherweight debut, after spending his whole career at lightweight. While at lightweight, Barboza fought some of the best fighters in the world, including four world champions. The move to 145 pounds comes now after losing four of his past five fights.
Ige has the pleasure of welcoming Barboza to the weight class. The former Dana White Contender Series winner is on a five fight winning streak after losing his UFC debut in January 2018. The fight is a bit of quick turnaround for Ige, as he just fought in February at UFC 247. Ige comes into the fight ranked No. 15 in the world by the UFC rankings.
Here’s how their fight went down with a round-by-round breakdown of the fight.
Round 1
Ige comes forward early. Both guys look loose. Ige not letting Barboza get comfortable throwing punches in bunches, but Barboza sneaks a nice shot in and drops Ige. Talk about a good first minute! Barboza starts dropping bombs on top of Ige, but Ige survives and gets up to his feet. 2:45 left in the round, before Barboza lands his first leg kick in his new division. Ige keeps pressing forward showing he’s not afraid of Barboza. Ige is loading up on everything he throws. Barboza lands another heavy shot that gets Ige’s attention. Ige, who is the busier fighter, has blood under his right eye. Interesting round to score. Ige’s businesses vs. Barboza’s clean damaging strikes.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Barboza
Round 2
Ige again coming forward throwing a number of punches. Barboza with a nice kick to the body. Moments later Barboza scores a leg kick. Following the kick, Ige works into the clinch. Barboza has some swelling around the eye. Barboza breaks the clinch by landing some nice knees to the body. Ige lands some punches that have Barboza’s attention. Barboza now with blood on the nose. The two exchange in the middle and Ige shoots in for a takedown, but Barboza stuffs the attempt. The UFC stats have Ige out striking Barboza 27-21 with one minute left in the round. Barboza scores a takedown and lands big shots as the round ends. Another close round. Barboza may have stolen it with that big finish.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Barboza
Round 3
Barboza lands a nice one-two combination 30 seconds into the final round. The two don’t seem as busy this round, but there’s still 3:30 to go, so I’m sure there’s more action coming. Barboza wins another two exchanges and now there’s under three minutes to go. Now Barboza gets into the clinch, lands a nice knee and some nice punches. With two minutes to go, Ige is now starting to find a grove. 90 seconds left in the fight and Ige works the clinch and scores a takedown. Ige is now on top of Barboza and lands a few nice punches. Barboza showing nice defense on the ground and Ige ends the round on top.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Ige
MyMMANews scores the fight 29-28 Barboza
Official result: Dan Ige wins via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
