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topicnews · October 24, 2024

UFC 308 Preview: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan ’50K’ Ige

UFC 308 Preview: Lerone Murphy vs. Dan ’50K’ Ige

Dan Ige may have had poor results in the win-loss category against ranked featherweights, but there’s no doubt that he’s still a season above the chaff he’s threshing.

He’s a perfect contender at No. 14, capable of displacing all the unworthy and saving those who truly belong in UFC competition in the vaunted (actually not so much lately) rankings. Even though Englishman Lerone Murphy blew us away in his first UFC main event – against his first UFC opponent – by literally knocking the doors off Edson Barboza, the legend’s decline has been going on for some time Gang.

Therefore, when a fighter beats the legendary lightweight who did the Aldo, i.e. cut past his prime and did well in another difficult weight class, we can’t be entirely sure that Edson wasn’t simply devastated.

For some fighters he is the perfect partner. His weaknesses are well documented, such as his inability to handle pressure and wrestling. The impressive thing about Lerone Murphy’s performance was that he didn’t have to do that to beat the great Brazilian striker. Lerone Murphy was simply sharper, faster, more aggressive and more dangerous. So how can we be sure that Edson isn’t just over it? Well, this is where Dan Ige comes in, a true gatekeeper, not a post-prime legend. Should we still examine the evidence and do Dan’s job for him?

Although Barboza defeated Sodiq Yusuff a fight before the fight in question, Edson did the opposite of what he normally does in his victories. More recently, “Junior” used his lightning-fast reflexes and explosiveness to win early in his fight against unranked Billy Quarantillo, scoring his second thrilling knee knockout of his career.

But like Lerone, “Super” Sodiq just made Barboza look slow and sloppy in the first round, which also forced him to be tough. He then dislocated his shoulder and Edson won with veteran courage and skill.

Will Dan Ige poke holes in Lerone Murphy’s sparkling undefeated record? There are already some. He has never proven to be a capable defensive wrestler, especially in situations involving chain fighting. He probably lost to Gabriel Santos and Zubaira Tukhugov and only managed a draw against the latter.

“The Miracle” has proven himself to be an extremely capable kickboxer with four-ounce gloves, and his toughness is unquestionable; He once survived being shot in the face and walked to the hospital.

However, will Lerone have enough to handle a ranked fighter who brings a diverse skill set to one of the sport’s best divisions? Ige isn’t the best wrestler in the world, but he can use his level-changing overhand and straight techniques to set up takedowns.

“50K” has five career contributions, including a rear-naked choke in the UFC and one in their “Contender Series.” If Lerone proves he can fight I’ll think again and think he can’t, but after what he showed me against Amirkhani and Khabilov I’m not too confident.

It will also be tight on the feet. Murphy is not a stunning artist; he rarely picks up the pace and runs away with fights. His acumen, reach, and in-fight build-up could be enough to deal with Ige.

Dan Ige himself is a one-tempo fighter. Unless he lands a takedown or an opponent does otherwise, “50K” lives in a pattern of fight, circle, fight again. I doubt Lerone will do anything to change that, so the fight will take place on equal terms.

Ige has some good tactical ideas and technical tricks in the middle of battles. But his lack of strategy and average physical abilities prevent him from progressing.

Murphy may have more of those physical tools, but he is now 33 years old, despite his meager fifteen-fight professional MMA experience. Ultimately, because of this fact, I lack confidence in his ability to develop beyond what he has shown so far.

Ige’s veteran status makes me a little more confident in what his team has to offer. This also applies to his trainer Eric Nicksick, even if Ige sometimes finds it difficult to change course in the middle of a fight or to play to his strengths.

This is another fight on the UFC 308 card that could end in a close decision. In this case, just like the last one, I’m picking the underdog to win by decision. May I still regret it and may the capricious judge gods spurn me for all eternity.

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