Dana White Ready to Give Diego Lopes, Dan Ige Spots on UFC Sphere Card

LAS VEGAS – UFC CEO Dana White will grant Diego Lopes and Dan Ige’s wish to compete at the Sphere.

With Brian Ortega unable to compete in Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas due to illness, Ige had to step in four hours at the last minute to face Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC). Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC) came back in the third round but ended up losing by unanimous decision in a valiant effort.

White praised both fighters for agreeing to fight. Before Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) was ruled out, Lopes had already agreed to move their fight from featherweight to lightweight.

“When you have guys like Diego – the guys that were in tonight’s co-main event are just absolute stars,” White told reporters at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference. “Think about it: Diego gets the call, he (Ortega) isn’t going to make weight, ‘No problem, I’ll take the fight.’ That’s a mental challenge in itself. … How many guys don’t take the fight and don’t do it.

“Then he gets a call that he (Ortega) isn’t going to be there and we want to put somebody else in, and he takes the fight. And it’s a completely different style than what he trained for, and he still takes the fight. The guy he was supposed to fight was ranked in the top three. This guy (Ige) is like a cut above him. The mental challenges that were put on this kid.”

Lopes suggested that his fight against Ortega be rescheduled for September 14 at UFC 306 by The Sphere. Ige also requested a spot on the card, and White is happy to oblige.

“You couldn’t have two bigger studs than those two guys tonight,” White added. “Unbelievable. I mean it. I would do anything for those guys. So yeah.”

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s UFC 303 Event Hub.