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Is Dan Ige vs Giga Chikadze the Fight to Make After ’50k’ Ige’s Defeat to ‘The Korean Zombie’?

UFC featherweight Dan Ige came up short against Chan Sung Jung in the main event for UFC Vegas 29. Ige rallied until the final minute of the fight but couldn’t find the finish after losing the early rounds to Jung. ‘The Korean Zombie’ used a more measured approach to his offensive gameplay and secured crucial takedowns and ground control.

At one point in the fight, Jung secured a takedown followed by a body triangle and spent nearly the entire round threatening the RNC. Dan Ige was finding Jung’s chin at different moments in the fight. However, it wasn’t enough. The judges awarded Chan Sung Jung the unanimous decision, and he retained his number 4 ranking.

Ige was looking to break into the top 5 as he came into the bout as the number 8 ranked featherweight contender. However, he’ll have to re-route his ascend to the top as Jung proved to be too much. Despite the defeat, Dan Ige has shown that he’s a well-rounded fighter who has a future as a top-ranked contender.

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What’s next for Dan ‘50K’ Ige?

A quick glance at the UFC rankings would indicate that Dan Ige has plenty of options despite coming off a loss. Josh Emmett and Arnold Allen are two men ranked above him and would make for exciting fights on paper. However, Allen just fought not too long ago and Josh Emmett has been on the sidelines since his three-round war against Shane Burgos.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JULY 14: Dan Ige poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 14, 2020 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

However, Ige may not receive another step up in the rankings for his next fight considering he’s 1-2 in his last three. The UFC will probably look to give him someone ranked below him for his next outing. The name that jumps out immediately is Giga Chikadze, the surging sensation from Georgia.

The UFC has been looking to push Chikadze who is a part of the ‘Georgian revolution’ through the UFC’s ranks. Furthermore, Chikadze is an exciting fighter who isn’t afraid to call his shots as he climbs up the ranks. From a stylistic point of view, the fight makes a lot of sense and could potentially be a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.

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The post Is Dan Ige vs Giga Chikadze the Fight to Make After ’50k’ Ige’s Defeat to ‘The Korean Zombie’? appeared first on EssentiallySports.