Josh Emmett Caps Off Return with Close Decision Over Ige at UFC 269
UFC 269 goes down tonight, Charles Oliveira vs Dustin Poirier serves as the main event for the event which is taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes will defend her Bantamweight belt against Julianna Pena.
A stacked prelims includes former UFC champion Dominick Cruz, also, a heavyweight bout between two of the gamest fighters in the division – Augusto Sakai vs. Tai Tuivasa.
And a featherweight clash between Dan Ige and Josh Emmett, a bout that is guaranteed to produced fireworks – this is out featured play-by-play for this article.
A battle of hard-hitting, top 10-ranked UFC Featherweights, in a highly anticipatory fight with top-5 stakes at hand.
Emmett (16-2), returns after an 18-month layoff due to a brutal torn ACL that occurred 15 seconds into his fight with Shane Burgos.
Ige (15-4), meanwhile, has lost two of his last three fights to Calvin Kattar and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. Between those losses was an explosive 22-second win over Gavin Tucker.
Emmett is the slight favourite with -145 odds while Ige is the underdog with +125 odds.
Here’s how the fight played out round by round:
ROUND 1:
Patient first round by Ige and Emmett, and on CUE Emmett lands a bomb and drops Ige. Emmett looks to land ground and pound, fantastic scrambles from both men. They return to the feet. Emmett rips to the body, both men staying patient looking for the killer shot. Ige using the jab to stall Emmett. Big shot from Emmett, Ige returns with a big low kick to end the round.
MyMMANews.com scores it: 10-9 to Josh Emmett
ROUND 2:
Emmett comes out fast and lands a right down the middle. Ige rips to the body and switches it up to the head. A shot from Ige, unsuccessful. Ige clips Emmett with a left hook – the legs of Emmett buckle. Ige stays calm and tries to pick his shots. Emmett has his legs under him now. Ige goes back to the jab and lands a sharp one. The final minute of round two and both men are landing glancing shots. Counter right from Ige lands to end the round.
MyMMANews.com scores it: 10-9 to Dan Ige, 19-19
ROUND 3:
Third and final round. Ige starts with a hook to the mid section. Emmett returns with a combination, lands to the body then goes upstairs. The jab from Ige has been phenomenal tonight. Emmett backs up Ige against the cage, the power advantage is clearly evident. Emmett is moving a lot better in this round. Ige fakes a takedown and Emmett bites on the feint and momentarily scrambles, 30 seconds left in a very close round, both men need a strong end. Emmett swings to the bell, a very close round – can really go either way.
MyMMANews.com scores it: 10-9 to Dan Ige, 29-28
Official Result: JoshEmmettUFC def. Dan Ige via via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Back and better than ever! 🙌@JoshEmmettUFC makes good on the return after a year and a half out of the game! #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/guZ2Rr1uzl
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 12, 2021
