David Martinez and Dan Ige, Noche UFC ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Eddie Law/Cageside Press
Noche UFC’s main card kicked off with a battle of veteran vs. newcomer when Dan Ige dropped down to bantamweight to face David Martinez.
Ige made the decision to move down after 21 UFC fights for a fresh start after losing 5 of his last 7 at 145lbs. Martinez shot his way up to the top of the bantamweight divison after back-to-back wins against Chito Vera and Rob Font in his second and third UFC fights. Now ranked at #8 in the bantamweight division, David Martinez defends his ranking against a veteran for the fight time.
Round 1: Ige started as the aggressor, jabbing a kneeing his way into distance as Martinez circled the cage. Martinez punished him quickly with a big two-punch combination, making it know he can’t enter the pocket at will. A nice right hand landed for Ige who slowed his aggressive early pace. Instead of putting Martinez on the back foot, he stood with him in the center of the cage. With nothing of substance landing but both men throwing, Ige launched up a head kick but was put off-balance by a counter right from Martinez. Martinez followed a leg kick with a nice combination of uppercuts, landing a damaging leg kick after separating. Martinez planted on a big left hand that dropped Ige to the canvas, but he jumped right back to his feet. The younger fighter seemed to be settling in, with a big spinning kick missed, but a clear flow being built. A glancing side kick landed off Ige’s hip, with Martinez backing away from the ensuing counters. Ige locked in a bodylock but failed to take it down as the round ended.
Round 2: Martinez kicked the round off with a shoving hook to the body and a glancing lead high kick. His movement was causing Ige real issues at this point, with Ige swinging and missing consistently. Ige would step in to the pocket with his hands up, then Martinez would pull away with punches and land while backing out. A clean calf kick showed to both Ige, whose offense was turning more into defense as the fight progressed. After a pair of right hands missed, Martinez applied the pressure and forced Ige back. After landing a left hand over the top, he backed out and controlled the exchanges for the next two minutes with much of the same. A well-timed head kick didn’t stop Ige from pushing forward, although Martinez continued to chew away at his calf. Martinez slipped late in the round and stood up throwing a cartwheel kick, showing how comfortable he was as the bell rang.
Round 3: Ige started the round with a clean left hook and heavy pressure, but was countered by a clean Martinez 3-2. Ige continued to push the pace but was dropped by a clean right hand that Martinez landed over the top. Ige was quick to his feet, but the knockdown wasn’t a good visual. Martinez circled while chopping the leg, with Ige landing a nice jab in between kicks. With 90 seconds left, Ige had done decent work, but nothing significant. Martinez stayed one step ahead and kept his output higher than previous rounds, catching a kick and taking Ige down late. In a Hail Mary attempt, Ige threw up an unsuccessful triangle as the fight ended on the feet.
The judges had it for Martinez, who put on a veteran showing against an actual veteran in Dan Ige.
Official Result: David Martinez def. Dan Ige by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)