Movsar Evloev was a big star with his dominant victory over Dan Ige at the UFC Vegas 56 comain event.
The undefeated featherweight put on a punishing performance over all three rounds to ultimately win a lopsided decision, with the judges scoring the fight 30-26, 30-27, and 30-27 in his favor, as Evloev moved to 16-0 in his career with a 6-0 mark in the UFC.
“I’m feeling great,” Evloev said. I prepared well, and have great respect for my opponent. His opponent was always dangerous. My opponent and I deserve Fight of the Night. This is my opinion. Next one, I need a big name for a title shot. I’m the next champion.”
Both fighters exchanged jabs early, with Ige then launching bombs with his hands as he went to the body and then back upstairs to the head. Evloev retorted with lots of punches and power, before unleashing a jump knee strike on Ige that rattled him as it landed flush to the jaw.
Ige somehow absorbed the blow but Evloev used the knee to help him shift the momentum.
A noted Greco Roman wrestler, Evloev grabbed the body lock and looked at Ige, ragdoll Ige, around the cage. But the Hawaiian-born featherweight displayed great balance to keep him from falling on his back.
Ige was able to throw back with great pop, but Evloev still pounded into Ige with his heavy hands. Evloev also mixed in a takedown, which allowed him to throw some nasty ground-and-pound, including an elbow that just sliced across Ige’s head.
By the end of the second round, Ige’s face was bruised and bloody from the continued damage he absorbed.
With five minutes left, Evloev continued his assault on Ige with punches and drag the fight down to the floor. Ige was stuck playing defense, with Evloev unloading strikes and using his suffocating ground control to close out his latest winning performance.
The victory will undoubtedly help Evloev make a jump up the rankings at featherweight — and he’s hoping to see a featherweight with a similar undefeated record in the UFC standing across the cage from him when he fights next.
“I know one name, he’s still scared of me,” Evloev said. Arnold Allen is a bulls*** man. I want to beat this guy in his place. Maybe England. I’ll be ready in a couple of weeks. I’d finish him. I promise.”
