MMA Match Preview: Dan Ige (19-9) vs. Patricio Pitbull (36-8)

Fight Details

Event: UFC 318: Holloway vs. Poirier 3

Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM ET (Main Card)

Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Weight Class: Featherweight (145 lbs / 65.8 kg)

Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV

Fighter Profiles

Fighter	Dan Ige	Patricio Pitbull
Nickname	“50K”	“Pitbull”
Record	19-9-0	36-8-0
Age	33	38
Height	5’7″	5’6″
Reach	71″	65.5″
Gym	Xtreme Couture	Pitbull Brothers
UFC Rank	#14 Featherweight	Unranked (UFC debut loss)

Dan Ige is a battle-tested UFC veteran with knockout power and a reputation for durability.

Patricio Pitbull is a former Bellator double champion making his second UFC appearance after a decision loss to Yair Rodriguez.

Recent Form & Momentum

Dan Ige – Last 5 Fights

Win vs. Sean Woodson (KO, Apr 2025)

Loss vs. Lerone Murphy (Oct 2024)

Loss vs. Diego Lopes (Jun 2024)

Win vs. Andre Fili (Feb 2024)

Loss vs. Bryce Mitchell (Sep 2023)

Patricio Pitbull – Last 5 Fights

Loss vs. Yair Rodriguez (Apr 2025, UFC debut)

Win vs. Jeremy Kennedy (Bellator, Dec 2024)

Win vs. AJ McKee (Bellator, Jul 2024)

Win vs. Pedro Carvalho (Bellator, Mar 2024)

Win vs. Daniel Weichel (Bellator, Nov 2023)

Pitbull’s UFC debut didn’t go as planned, but his Bellator résumé is stacked with elite wins.

Tactical Breakdown

Dan Ige

Strengths: Crisp boxing, knockout power, cardio

Weaknesses: Vulnerable to high-volume strikers and grapplers

Strategy: Pressure early, avoid grappling exchanges, use reach advantage

Patricio Pitbull

Strengths: KO power, BJJ black belt, championship experience

Weaknesses: Shorter reach, adapting to UFC pace

Strategy: Close distance, mix in takedowns, hunt for a finish