Dan Ige not ruling out UFC on ESPN 13 win could earn him title shot

ABU DHABI – Dan Ige isn’t expecting a title shot should he beat Calvin Kattar – but doesn’t think it’s out of the question either.

At UFC on ESPN 13, Ige (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) headlines for the first time under the promotion’s banner. The fight is pivotal. Both men sit toward the top of a stacked 145-pound division. With no clear-cut No. 1 contender, Ige thinks he could land the opportunity if he beats Kattar (21-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC).

“A big win over Calvin Kattar, (if) I make a big statement win, could easily very-well get me a title shot,” Ige said Monday. “Maybe the people won’t say I deserve it, but I will fight anyone, anywhere, any time to get what I want. That’s a world title. I know (featherweight champion Alexander) Volkanovski wants to fight the No. 1 contenders. I’ve watched all of his interviews. I study every guy in the division. I know he has his eyes on me and he’ll have his eyes on this fight. We’ll see what happens.”

Ige thinks his activity-level will be key in any offer he receives from the UFC. In recent weeks, UFC president Dana White has voiced his pleasure in fighters who are trying to stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I really want to go out there and show that I’m a true contender – that I’m champion-worthy,” Ige said. “I can very well do that. I have a huge opportunity (and) a big platform to do so on Wednesday. With the way the division is tied up right now, these guys in the top five are not active. These guys, a lot of them haven’t fought in one year (or) two years and they’re still up there in the top ranking in the world.”

UFC on ESPN 13 takes place Wednesday at Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.