Edson Barboza vs Dan Ige

by matmartial · Published May 16, 2020 · Updated May 16, 2020

UPDATE: Dan Ige pulls eeks out a razor sharp split decision in the UFC Featherweight Division.

Edson Barbosa, the human-highlight film, looked fantastic after dropping down in weight. I had worried that it was a desperate movie for the long-time UFC assassin. Barbosa has maintained an elite level of fighting consistently for more than a decade.

Hawaii’s Dan Ige, however, did enough on two of the three judges scorecards. 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28 to make it 6 straight victories.

Dan Ige (13-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) faces Edson Barboza (20-8 MMA, 14-8 UFC) on Saturday, May 16, on ESPN. Yet another exciting UFC event to take place during the global coronavirus pandemic at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

ufc
Dan Ige
Edson Barboza
Jacksonville, Florida
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flyweight division — **Dan Ige vs Edson Barboza**

Ige made his way into the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series. Ige has won his last five fights, most recently edging out Mirsad Bektic at UFC 247.

Barboza has not won a fight in over 3 years. He has lost 4 of his last 5 fights in the UFC’s Lightweight Division. But on Saturday Night, in Jacksonville, Barboza will be dropping down in weight to make his debut in the UFC’s Featherweight Division.

Dan Ige

Ige (13-1) has more power than one would expect of a 5-foot-7, 145-pound frame. He is coming off a split-decision win over Mirsad Bektic at UFC 247, and is 5-0 in his past five bouts. Ige has a strong ground game, too, and has never been submitted in 15 professional fights. While he has a four-inch disadvantage in the reach department, that won’t be a problem on the ground. That’s where Ige likes to do most of his work. He holds a 2.38 to 0.49 advantage in takedown average, and 0.79 to 0.06 submission average.

Edson Barboza

Barboza (20-8) will enjoy a four-inch reach advantage, and a four-inch advantage in height over Ige. Barboza, a bit of a human highlight film, can certainly hold his own in significant strikes against Ige, but will need solid takedown defense if he wants to survive and advance. Barboza is coming off a split-decision loss against Paul Felder at UFC 242, and has dropped 4 of his last fights. Barboza has never won by submission in 22 career UFC fights, but he has been submitted twice. Ige easily has the tools to add to that mark.

Dan Ige vs. Edson Barboza betting odds

Ige (+115) might be a great value as a short dog against Barboza (-140), who has been struggling lately. While the 34-year-old Barboza has more experience at the UFC level, he is six years older and in the twilight of his career. Ige is an up-and-comer with serious ground game. Ige will continue his ascension, while Barboza is just hanging on at this point.

Prediction

I never like seeing UFC veterans drop down in weight, especially not after such a long and storied career. To me it always feels like a desperate move. However, it’s better for Barboza to face a grappler rather than a striker after dropping the weight. Still, I don’t like the message this move sends and I believe a streaking Ige will edge out a decision victory by taking advantage of his superior grappling skills.