UFC star Dan Ige fought on just three hours' notice after being called up to face Diego Lopes at UFC 303. Ige's head coach, Eric Nicksick, revealed that Ige regularly prepares for such opportunities by researching upcoming featherweights. Nicksick received a call from NSAC Executive Director Jeff Mullen to confirm Ige's readiness, to which he affirmed Ige's preparedness. Diego Lopes, who was eager to accept any opponent, expressed that people need to respect his name after the co-main event fight. Both fighters received commendation for their willingness to fight under such short notice. Dana White granted their wishes to have future fights in the Sphere. Ige and Lopes issued a statement following their bout, with Nicksick calling Ige's short-notice fight a 'legend' moment.
Diego Lopes answers Movsar Evloev’s latest taunts after UFC 303 victory 👊🏼 #MMA #UFC303 https://t.co/wuVOr02Mic
💥 Eric Nicksick tells the story of how he found out that his fighter Dan Ige is fighting at UFC 303. Says that Ige was always fantasizing moments like this and always gets prepared for that 👏 🎥 @arielhelwani https://t.co/9gzY4NMYT3
Eric Nicksick describes how the phone calls went with Kai Kamaka and Sean Strickland as he tried to gather Dan Ige a corner team for #UFC303 on just hours notice 😁 🎥 The MMA Hour / @MMAFighting https://t.co/7302Iz94aN
Eric Nicksick talks getting the call from Dan Ige. #TheMMAHour https://t.co/SeQECsQj6e
Coach Eric Nicksick says he got a call from NSAC Executive Director Jeff Mullen asking if Dan Ige was "ready to fight." "I said, 'Jeff, Dan Ige is like a son to me. I would never put him in a situation where I felt like he was in danger.'" ▶️ https://t.co/VOKvHFYext #TheMMAHour https://t.co/tifzsf9tBY
🚨| Dan Ige’s head coach, Eric Nicksick tells @arielhelwani that Ige will regularly come to him asking him to research featherweights that are coming up on random cards just incase someone gets hurt so he can be ready to jump in. [per The MMA Hour] #UFC303 https://t.co/12tJ6PYVc6
Eric Nicksick said he told his wife when Dan Ige was taking the Diego Lopes fight on 3hrs notice “that this is what legends are made of” #UFC303 #TheMMAHour
Eric Nicksick says Dan Ige called him at 4:26 PM Vegas time that he was going to fight Diego Lopes at UFC 303 #UFC303 #TheMMAHour
Ariel Helwani talks Dan Ige and how he was able to fight on short notice. #TheMMAHour https://t.co/iQz8ivAyy3
Dan Ige and Diego Lopes issue a statement following their short-notice #UFC303 bout 🤝 #UFC #MMA https://t.co/FmQe3vel8e
Diego Lopes deserves all the credit in the world, and Dan Ige deserves even MORE credit for last night’s co main event #UFC303 https://t.co/n3oePGXeXq
Mad respect to Dan Ige and Diego Lopes. Dan Ige accepting a fight 3 hours notice and Diego Lopes wanted to do anything to fight so would accept anyone. That’s how you do it! I’m glad Dana White is granting their wishes to have fights in the Sphere!👊🏼 @ufc https://t.co/EcKHwtMw6z
Mad respect to Dan Ige and Diego Lopes. Dan Ige accepting a fight 2-3 hours short notice and Diego Lopes wanted to do anything to fight so would accept anyone. That’s how you do it! I’m glad Dana White is granting their wishes to be able to fight in the Sphere!👊🏼 @ufc https://t.co/tKp0vYhRS2
Mad respect to Dan Ige and Diego Lopes. Dan Ige accepting a fight 2-3 hours short notice and Diego Lopes wanted to do anything to fight so would accept anyone. That’s how you do it! I’m glad Dana White is granting their wishes to have fights in the Sphere!👊🏼 @ufc https://t.co/JUa8t4G8ut
Diego Lopes was not about to turn down a fight at #UFC303 📸: @ELaw32 https://t.co/vr9vNoIgzN
Legends @Dynamitedan808 @Diegolopesmma #UFC303 https://t.co/nw0Im03xcC
Put some respect on @Diegolopesmma name! #UFC303 📸: @DoubleGonTV STORY: https://t.co/AGmVdWCI3E https://t.co/dKMo9UiXpb
#UFC303: Put some respect on Diego Lopes' name! via @DoubleGonTV & @ELaw32 #MMA https://t.co/AGmVdWCI3E
Diego Lopes and Dan Ige appreciation post 🔥 What a wild ride…Two absolute warriors and true BMFs 💯 Anyone, anytime, any place… #UFC303 https://t.co/Ou2Ym8YG4W
"Anyone, anytime, anywhere." Diego Lopes feels "people need to put some respect on [his] name" after #UFC303 https://t.co/VRd9umvZBY
UFC star Dan Ige fought on just three hours notice after being called up to face Diego Lopes at #UFC303 https://t.co/jqDCMmVIAO https://t.co/pzcPL4qvv4