Diego Lopes Defeats Dan Ige 29-28 in Last-Minute UFC 303 Catchweight Bout

Jun 30, 2024, 02:44 AM

Diego Lopes faced Dan Ige in the co-main event of UFC 303 after a series of last-minute changes. Initially scheduled to fight Brian Ortega at featherweight, the bout was moved to lightweight due to Ortega's inability to make weight. Eventually, Ortega withdrew due to illness, with a 103 degree fever, and Dan Ige stepped in on just three hours' notice for a 165-pound catchweight fight. Lopes weighed in at 161 pounds while Ige came in at 164.5 pounds. Despite the short notice, Lopes secured a unanimous decision victory over Ige with scores of 29-28 from all three judges. The event also featured Ian Machado Garry defeating Michael Page via unanimous decision (29-28) in the opening fight of the main card. The announcement of the changes was made at the T-Mobile Arena.