Ige vs. Topuria targeted for Dec. 17 UFC card, Twitter reacts
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The final UFC card of 2022 is set to go from strength to strength with the likely addition of a featherweight banger between Dan Ige and Ilia Topuria.
Although talk of a possible short-notice fight with Bryce Mitchell early next month appears to be falling apart, it still looks like Topuria will host another fight in this calendar year.
According to Setanta Sports’ Giorgi Kokiashvili, Topuria will have a chance to move up the ranks at 145lbs when he meets Ige at UFC Vegas 66 on Dec. 17. Although the report says the contracts are yet to be signed, the match is described as “likely” to happen.
For the undefeated Topuria (12-0), who is currently ranked No. 14 at featherweight, the fight will mark his first contest in the division since July 2021. After rising through the ranks with victories over Youssef Zalal, Damon Jackson and Ryan Hall, a weight cut issue ahead of UFC 270 saw him test the light waters in his last outing.
And after a first scare at UFC London last March, ‘El Matador’ brutally knocked out Jai Herbert in the English capital. While the Georgian-Spanish has expressed a desire to compete in both weight classes, a win on Dec. 17 will see him one step closer to contention at featherweight.
In his own way, however, he appears to be the 11th ranked Ige (15-6). After rising to the top of the division with six straight wins, including over veteran Edson Barboza, “50K” saw its title hopes stymied by Calvin Kattar. And since a first rebound knockout against Gavin Tucker, the Hawaiian has lost three straight against Chan Sung Jung, Josh Emmett and Movsar Evloev.
If Ige can bounce back by becoming the first to blemish Topuria’s record, he will firmly rekindle his presence as a player in the 145-pound rankings.
The current fights scheduled to take place at UFC Vegas 66 on December 17 are as follows:
Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland (middleweight main event)
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Damir Ismagulov (lightweight)
Dan Ige vs. Ilia Topuria (featherweight)
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov (bantamweight)
Julian Marquez vs. Deron Winn (middleweight)
Michael Morales vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (welterweight)
Albert Duraev vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk (middleweight)
Cheyanne Vlismas vs. Cory McKenna (women’s strawweight)
Sergey Morosov vs. Journey Newson (bantamweight)
Hayisaer Maheshate vs. Rafa Garcia (lightweight)
Jamal Pogues vs. Tafon Nchukwi (light heavyweights)
MMA Twitter reacts to Ige/Topuria booking
Following reports of the match’s emergence, a number of MMA enthusiasts have taken to social media to offer their thoughts on the likely addition to the UFC’s year-end event. .
Some had very different opinions on the game. While one fan suggested Ige represents a much easier opponent for Topuria than Mitchell would have, another insisted the 31-year-old tough will score a tough test for ‘El Matador’.
Regardless of the opponent, some were just happy to be closer to seeing Topuria back in the Octagon.
Meanwhile, many have pointed to Ige’s play. Although he is on a losing streak, the Hawaiian is not afraid of difficult confrontations.
While some offered predictions, others simply commented on the quality of the match, with the consensus being that regardless of the outcome, the featherweight scrap will bring fireworks to the December 17 card.
Who do you think will have their hands up on December 17 if this match goes through, Dan Ige or Ilia Topuria?
