“That`s a bad stoppage!” exclaimed Joe Rogan immediately after Dan Ige finished his fight against Sean Woodson with a flurry of strikes in the third round at UFC 314. Ige landed powerful blows, and Woodson attempted a desperate takedown, but then received a series of accurate shots, after which the referee deemed it sufficient.
It wasn`t until he got backstage that Ige learned about the controversy surrounding his bout. Reporters informed him that commentators, while praising his performance, still criticized the referee for a premature stoppage. Reflecting on that moment now, Ige admits he felt nothing but joy and exhilaration, but hearing how the fight`s conclusion was portrayed on air (which is how most people perceive the match) was still unpleasant.
As Ige stated, “As for the moment itself, I didn`t feel it was ruined for me. I was in there, the referee stopped the fight, the crowd erupted, and I embraced it. When I returned to the press room, the media brought up the controversies, and I thought: what controversies? Then I went online, read the comments, and heard the commentary, and realized they play a huge role in shaping public opinion.”
“They`re just saying what they see in the moment,” he added. “It`s a bit frustrating because, in part, it truly diminishes some of my triumph. But ultimately, I still secured a win and received two checks. I can`t be angry about it.”
The UFC commentary team plays a crucial role not only in describing the action but also in shaping the narrative of what unfolds before, during, and after a fight.
Ige certainly doesn`t blame them for expressing their immediate emotions, but he also understands that fans often form their opinions based on these very commentaries.
“People hear that, and it influences their own perspective,” Ige noted. “It`s annoying, but it`s their job, and it`s not an easy one, because every word you say will be scrutinized. No one in the crowd was complaining, but many at home or online definitely had something to say.”
Even when re-watching fights for analysis, Ige finds himself perceiving events differently due to the comments made during the broadcast. This is precisely why he prefers to simply mute the sound and analyze everything himself, as it`s nearly impossible not to be swayed by commentary that establishes a particular narrative.
“Even when I watch and study fight footage, I try to do so without commentary,” Ige said. “Because again, they`ll say something, and you`ll automatically almost believe them. It becomes part of your truth, which might not even be the truth. It`s someone else`s truth or what they see in the moment. I don`t know how to fix that. It just is what it is.”
While Ige still has no issue with the referee`s decision to stop the fight at UFC 314, he undeniably prefers more definitive finishes. He has delivered plenty of such stoppages throughout his career and would love to provide another one when he faces Patricio “Pitbull” on Saturday at UFC 318.
“You can`t please everyone in this sport,” Ige declared. “That`s why I like walk-off KOs; because then there`s no question. But those don`t always happen. Still, I hope we can get one and erase all those doubts.”
Regarding his upcoming fight this weekend, Ige is eagerly anticipating facing a legend of the sport like Pitbull, whom many consider the greatest fighter in Bellator history.
Unfortunately, Pitbull received a less than welcoming reception in his Octagon debut, losing a one-sided decision to Yair Rodriguez in what was widely regarded as an uninspired performance. Now, Pitbull enters his second UFC appearance at 38 years old with a 1-3 overall record in his last four fights. This suggests he`s already in a very precarious position if he hopes to ever contend for UFC gold, as starting his promotional career 0-2 could make his future chances of success nearly insurmountable.
“From the company`s perspective, this is a very significant fight for him,” Ige commented. “I don`t know what he`s being paid financially, but I`m sure it`s a decent sum. If he steps in there, he truly cannot afford another loss.”
“But that`s not my concern, because I also have a job to do. I aim to go out there, secure a win, provide for my family, and keep my career going. It`s tough to say if it`s do or die, but it most likely is.”
