UFC 318: Dan Ige vs Patricio Pitbull

Dan Ige (“50K”) entered the UFC 318 main card riding recent momentum, while former Bellator legend Patricio “Pitbull” Freire aimed to capture his first UFC victory. The opening round was a chess match: Ige used leg kicks and movement, while Pitbull secured two takedowns and spent time controlling Ige against the fence. Despite Ige’s activity and footwork, Pitbull edged the frame with his grappling control.

The fight heated up in Round 2, as Ige pressed forward with combinations and even dropped Pitbull with a head kick. However, Pitbull answered back—landing jabs, body shots, and ultimately scoring another takedown late in the round, The momentum swung back and forth, but Pitbull’s wrestling grounded him once more, keeping Dan Ige from fully stringing strikes together.

Round 3 featured more fireworks: Ige once again caught Pitbull with a hard kick and locked up position, but Pitbull responded with a takedown of his own and tied up the final minute by controlling a battle in the clinch. Though both men had their moments, Pitbull’s steady mix of wrestling, striking, and octagon control left little doubt on the judges’ minds.

After three competitive rounds, the judges awarded Patricio “Pitbull” Freire the unanimous decision victory (29–28 x3)—marking his first win in the UFC and halting Ige’s climb at featherweight. Pitbull showcased his adaptability with five takedowns and solid ground time, while Ige landed powerful strikes and tested Pitbull’s resolve. With this rebound win, Pitbull strengthens his case as a featherweight contender; Ige will need to rebound and refine his game plan.