Can a 34-Year-Old Featherweight Stop 'The Dalmatian'?
Dan Ige and Melquizael Costa are set to face off next weekend at UFC Fight Night. While they are not the main event, they are turning many heads for an exciting matchup. This is a battle between a seasoned veteran and a rising star, which many expect to be a showdown. Both fighters have intentions for their future careers, making this a very important fight for both men.
The 34-year-old Hawaiian has been fighting for quite some time now and definitely takes the advantage in experience. Since his start in 2014, Ige has faced some of the most elite competition in the Featherweight Division. He is known for his incredible toughness and physical wrestling game. However, he has had some serious inconsistencies in his recent career and is looking to fight his way back into the top tier of the Featherweight Division. With recent losses to Diego Lopes, Lerone Murphy, and Patricio Freire, many questioned how much was left in the tank for Ige. A win over Sean Woodson showed that Ige still can find victories, ultimately allowing him to continue fighting. Costa will be a difficult opponent, especially as ‘The Dalmatian’ has been on an explosive run. 2025 was a breakout year for the Brazilian Featherweight as he won all four of his UFC appearances in 2025. He scored an impressive first-round knockout over Morgan Charriere, which finished off his year perfectly. He is now in 2026 as a dangerous contender with a lot of talent. A win over Ige will continue his momentum and push him further into potentially breaking into the rankings. Both fighters have a lot of talent and are hungry for victory. For Ige, this could be seen as a win he needs to continue earning fights. Another loss will show that it may be time for him to call it quits. Costa is equally as determined, especially as it will continue his streak and start the new year off right.
This will be an exciting fight regardless of the outcome. Both fighters bring a lot of excitement to the octagon, which many are excited for. As of now, it looks to be favored towards Costa’s side. But Ige should not be written off just yet. He has many years of experience and is still talented for his age.
