Dan Ige appears to be contemplating a drop to bantamweight after a difficult stretch at featherweight. The Hawaiian fighter has posted a 2-4 record in his last six bouts, most recently suffering a first-round knockout loss to Melquizael Costa. The struggles in the 145-pound division have prompted Ige to evaluate whether a weight class change could revitalize his UFC career. No formal announcement has been made, but the consideration signals potential frustration with his current featherweight trajectory.
Dan Ige is reportedly weighing a move down to bantamweight, according to an unconfirmed report, as the Hawaiian veteran reassesses his future following a rough stretch in the featherweight division.
Ige, known by the nickname "50K," carries a 19-11 professional record and is currently ranked thirteenth in the featherweight division. The 34-year-old from Hawaii, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, has gone just 2-4 over his last six outings. His most recent setback came by way of a first-round knockout loss to Melquizael Costa, a result that appears to have accelerated his thinking about a weight class change. Ige stands five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach, and averages 3.6 significant strikes per minute at a 45 percent accuracy rate.
The man who finished him, Costa, is a 29-year-old Brazilian southpaw out of Chute Boxe Joao Emilio with a record of 26-8. Standing five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, Costa has shown well-rounded offensive output, landing 4.29 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy while also contributing 1.53 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Ige's 2-4 run in his last six fights puts his featherweight ranking under pressure and suggests the 145-pound division may no longer suit him.
- A move to bantamweight at 135 pounds would represent a significant cut for Ige, who stands five-foot-seven — relatively tall for that weight class.
- No official announcement has been made, and this report should be treated as unconfirmed until Ige or the UFC formally address the situation.
