Diego Lopes defeated Dan Ige by unanimous decision in the co-main event of UFC 303. The fight was one of the highlights of the night. A last-minute change saw Brian Ortega unable to compete due to medical issues related to his weight cut, resulting in the fight being moved from featherweight to lightweight. Let’s see how much Lopes earned from his victory over Ige.
Diego Lopes’ Payout for UFC 303
According to a Sports Illustrated report, Lopes earned $100,000 for his UFC 300 fight against Sodiq Yusuff, which concluded with a stunning first-round KO victory. He might also earn more from night bonuses. In comparison, Dan Ige received $160,000 at UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot. It’s important to note that a fighter’s pay can vary significantly based on their popularity and performance bonuses.
Both fighters showed immense respect for each other in the octagon. Dan Ige, who resides in Las Vegas, was at home when the UFC informed him that Ortega couldn’t fight. The longtime veteran seized the opportunity to make a bold move by stepping in to fight Diego Lopes on just a few hours’ notice.
Moving from featherweight to lightweight and then to a catchweight bout at 165 pounds, Lopes showcased his dominance in the octagon and won the fight. However, Ige remained calm and delivered an impressive performance as well.
Ige’s performance in the octagon was exceptional despite the short notice. In the post-fight conference, he asked Dana White for another big PPV event so fans could see him again in a major bout soon.
