MIAMI – Dan Ige left UFC 314 victorious, but not without controversy. The veteran UFC featherweight defeated Sean Woodson on the final preliminary bout of the card at Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla. It was a very close fight where both fighters had their moments in the first two rounds. In Round 3, Ige (19-9 MMA, 11-8 UFC) wobbled Woodson (13-2-1 MMA, 7-2-1 UFC) and proceeded to look for the finish. Woodson was backing up, looking to avoid further damage. He then shot for a takedown and, while holding a single leg, took a few shots, and that's when referee Andrew Glenn stopped the bout. Woodson stood up and immediately protested the stoppage.
Joe Rogan, who was part of the UFC 314 commentary team, didn’t hold back, calling the stoppage one of the worst he had ever seen. “That’s crazy,” Rogan remarked. “Bad stoppage. I do not understand that.” His co-commentator, Daniel Cormier, also expressed his dismay, noting that Woodson could have been ranked next week and lost part of his paycheck due to the stoppage. “The kid loses part of his paycheck,” Cormier said. “And I want to know the scorecards after that, because if he was up two rounds, that guy just had a horrible, horrible stoppage.”
According to the official scorecards, Ige was indeed up two rounds at the time of the stoppage, which occurred just 1:12 into the third round. The fight had been competitive, with both fighters exchanging solid strikes and demonstrating their skills. Woodson utilized his reach advantage effectively in the first two rounds, landing jabs and low kicks while Ige looked to close the distance with powerful hooks and body shots.
As the third round began, Ige found his rhythm, landing a significant left hook that rocked Woodson. The Hawaiian fighter pressed the attack, landing more punches and forcing Woodson to dive for a takedown in a desperate attempt to regain control. However, as Woodson held onto Ige’s leg, Ige unleashed a series of hammer fists and punches, prompting the referee to step in and stop the fight.
Reactions to the stoppage were swift and critical on social media. Former champions and fighters voiced their opinions, with Henry Cejudo calling it a “terrible stoppage” and Charles Johnson questioning why referees continually intervene in fights when fighters are still defending themselves. The consensus among many observers was that Woodson was still in a position to defend himself and that the fight should have continued.
Despite the controversy, Ige celebrated his victory, which marked a significant rebound after suffering back-to-back losses to Diego Lopes and Lerone Murphy. The win was crucial for Ige as he looks to regain momentum in the featherweight division. He had previously scored a first-round knockout over Andre Fili before his recent setbacks.
On the other hand, Woodson, who had entered the fight on a four-fight winning streak, faced a disappointing end to his night. Having previously secured a first-round TKO victory over Fernando Padilla at UFC Tampa in December, Woodson had high hopes of continuing his ascent in the featherweight ranks.
The UFC 314 event showcased several other exciting matchups, including a dominant performance by Virna Jandiroba, who solidified her position as a top contender in the women’s strawweight division with a unanimous decision victory over Xiaonan Yan. Jandiroba completed takedowns in all three rounds, displaying her Brazilian jiu-jitsu prowess and keeping Yan off balance throughout the fight.
Chase Hooper also impressed with a unanimous decision win over veteran Jim Miller, using effective grappling and ground control to secure his victory. Hooper’s performance marked his fifth consecutive win, further establishing him as a rising star in the lightweight division.
As the dust settles from UFC 314, the focus now shifts to what lies ahead for both Ige and Woodson. Ige’s victory puts him back in the conversation for potential matchups against higher-ranked opponents, while Woodson will need to regroup and reassess his strategy moving forward. The featherweight division remains as competitive as ever, and both fighters will be eager to make their mark in future bouts.
In conclusion, UFC 314 delivered an action-packed night of fights, but the controversy surrounding the Ige vs. Woodson stoppage will linger in the minds of fans and fighters alike. As the UFC continues to evolve, the conversation around fighter safety and officiating standards remains crucial, ensuring that the integrity of the sport is upheld while allowing fighters the opportunity to showcase their skills.
