One UFC 318 hunter convinced Khabib Nurmagomedov that he did not have to apply a major career change.
Saturday's pay-per-view will keep an eye on it, because one of the toughest former opponents of Nurmagomedov makes the walk one last time.
Dustin Poirier is retiring at UFC 318, an event in his home state that will be concluded with 'The Diamond' challenging Max Holloway for the symbolic BMF title.
Among those who want to get the most out of their position on Poirier's pension card, is the always game than IgE, who comes up against his latest prominent opponent in Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull.
The Brazilian will participate in a list of controversial names IGE has confronted with 145 pounds, but if Nurmagomedov got his way with the American, that would not have been the case.
Then Ige was told that he had to fall to Bantam weight through Khabib Nurmagomedov
During an interview with Yahoo Sports prior to his first main event against Calvin Kattar in July 2020, IgE thought about his UFC success until that moment.
'50K', which is under the same management banner as the will of Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Kamaru Usman and Kayla Harrison, had won six straight fights since a UFC debut report against Julio Arce.
That featherweight line was clearly not provided for by Nurmagomedov.
While discussing his experience training with 'The Eagle', IgE revealed that the Dagestani had actually encouraged him to go to Bantam weight before convincing Nurmagomedov, otherwise with his versions in the Achthoek.
“He praises me, but he also offers his criticism,” said IgE.
'After my first loss in the UFC, and even after my first victory, he told me:' You have to go to 135 (pound), brother. “I said,” No, I don't do that. ” I have to tell him. I feel strong.
“When I started winning more and more, he started to become more impressed,” Ige continued. “If you show me that kind of appreciation for what I do and that respect, it can't help but build your self -confidence, hearing the best man in the world.”
Dan Ige has lost seven of his last 12 fights for UFC 318
Unfortunately for IgE he has not been able to start since.
'50K' was equipped by Kattar in his next fight and only won back-to-back competitions in his subsequent 11 performances.
While brutal knockouts against Gavin Tucker, Damon Jackson and Andre Fili showed where IGE is able to be able to be 145 pounds, defeats against people like 'The Korean Zombie', Josh Emmett, Movsar Evloev and Bryce Mitchell have been planned to the title.
Now, after the most recently returned to winning ways by stopping Sean Woodson on UFC 314 last April, IGE will want to start this Saturday with a winning series against a controversial name in Pitbull.