Dan Ige Bio
Daniel Alexander Ige (EE-gay; born August 6, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2014, Ige has also fought for Legacy Fighting Championship, Pancrase, the Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA), and Titan FC. As of November 4, 2025, he is ranked #13 in the UFC featherweight rankings.
Known inside the cage by the nickname “50K,” Ige has built his career on a strong wrestling base and well-rounded striking. He trains out of Las Vegas, Nevada, splitting time between Xtreme Couture MMA and the American Kickboxing Academy, and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu along with a brown belt in judo.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Alexander Ige was born on August 6, 1991, in Haleiwa, Hawaii. Growing up on the North Shore of Oahu, he was surrounded by a culture of athletics and physical competition from an early age. The islands produced a steady stream of combat sports talent, and Ige gravitated toward wrestling as a young athlete, training through local programs that emphasized discipline and work ethic.
His Hawaiian upbringing gave him an early foundation in grappling and helped shape the relentless pace he would later bring into mixed martial arts. By the time he finished high school, Ige had committed to continuing his wrestling career at the collegiate level, choosing a program that allowed him to keep developing on the mat while pursuing a broader education.
Path to MMA
After high school, Daniel Alexander Ige enrolled at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he wrestled at the NCAA Division III level. The collegiate wrestling environment sharpened his takedowns, top control, and conditioning, all of which became defining parts of his MMA toolkit. While competing for the Knights, he also began training in striking and submissions, blending the sports that would form his professional style.
Following his time at Wartburg, Ige turned his attention fully to mixed martial arts. He started his career with 10 amateur fights, compiling an 8–2 record, before making the jump to the professional ranks in 2014. He opened his pro career at 2–1, then strung together six straight wins on the regional circuit, including a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series 3 that earned him a UFC contract.
Dan Ige Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Daniel Alexander Ige began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2014, fighting at featherweight. He moved through several respected regional promotions, including Legacy Fighting Championship, Pancrase, the RFA, and Titan FC, stacking wins against experienced opponents and steadily improving his all-around game.
His regional run included a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series 3, a key milestone that put him on the UFC’s radar. By the time he signed with the promotion, Ige had established himself as a durable, wrestling-driven featherweight with knockout power and a growing submission game.
UFC Debut and Rise (2018–2020)
Ige made his UFC debut at UFC 220 in January 2018 against fellow newcomer Julio Arce after original opponent Charles Rosa withdrew. He dropped a unanimous decision in that first appearance but quickly bounced back. At UFC 225 in June 2018, he stopped Mike Santiago via first-round TKO, the first UFC finish of his career. He added a unanimous decision win over Jordan Griffin at UFC on Fox 31 later that year.
In 2019, Ige began to find his rhythm. He submitted Danny Henry in the first round at UFC Fight Night 147, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus. He followed that with decision wins over Kevin Aguilar and Mirsad Bektić, then picked up a split decision victory over Edson Barboza at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris in May 2020, a fight 16 of 18 media outlets scored for Barboza. His rise made him one of the more talked-about featherweights in the division.
UFC Setbacks and Comeback (2021–2023)
The 2021 season was a difficult one for Daniel Alexander Ige. After stopping Gavin Tucker via first-round knockout at UFC Fight Night 187, a result that earned him another Performance of the Night award, he dropped back-to-back unanimous decisions to Chan Sung Jung and Josh Emmett. He opened 2022 with another decision loss to Movsar Evloev at UFC Fight Night 207.
Ige answered with a strong run in 2023. He knocked out Damon Jackson in the second round at UFC Fight Night 217 in January, again earning Performance of the Night honors, then outpointed Nate Landwehr at UFC 289 in June. A unanimous decision loss to Bryce Mitchell at UFC Fight Night 228 in September closed out his year on a flat note, but his finishing rate and pace kept him firmly in the featherweight mix.
Recent UFC Era (2024–Present)
The 2024 season was a turbulent one for Ige. After Andre Fili stepped in on short notice at UFC Fight Night 236 in February, Ige scored a first-round knockout and earned another Performance of the Night bonus. A planned bout with Joanderson Brito at UFC on ESPN 60 later fell through, and Ige withdrew to take a same-day replacement fight against Diego Lopes at UFC 303 in June, losing a unanimous decision. He then dropped another decision to Lerone Murphy at UFC 308 in October.
In 2025, Ige stopped Sean Woodson via third-round technical knockout at UFC 314 in April, a strong return to form. He followed that with a unanimous decision loss to former Bellator champion Patrício Pitbull at UFC 318 in July. Through it all, he has remained a staple of the featherweight rankings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Daniel Alexander Ige has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses during his UFC tenure, with notable finishes against Mike Santiago, Danny Henry, Gavin Tucker, Damon Jackson, and Andre Fili. His five-round split decision win over Edson Barboza and his short-notice battle with Diego Lopes are widely cited as signature moments in his UFC career.
Dan Ige Career Wins
Across his professional career, Daniel Alexander Ige has compiled 19 wins in 29 total bouts, with finishes spread across decisions, knockouts, and submissions. Of his victories, 10 have come by decision, 7 by knockout or technical knockout, and 5 by submission, a balanced finishing profile that reflects his wrestling-and-striking style.
UFC Highlights
Inside the UFC, Ige has recorded wins over Mike Santiago, Jordan Griffin, Danny Henry, Kevin Aguilar, Mirsad Bektić, Edson Barboza, Gavin Tucker, Damon Jackson, Nate Landwehr, Andre Fili, and Sean Woodson. Several of those victories came with Performance of the Night bonuses, underlining his reputation as one of the more active and fan-friendly featherweights on the roster.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Daniel Alexander Ige competed for Legacy Fighting Championship, Pancrase, the RFA, and Titan FC, where he built his early resume and developed into a UFC-ready prospect. His win on Dana White’s Contender Series 3 served as the bridge between the regional scene and the biggest stage in mixed martial arts.
| Phase | Wins | Total Fights | Finishing Methods (KO/TKO, Sub, Dec) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Career (2018–2025) | 11 | 21 | 5 KO/TKO, 1 Sub, 5 Dec |
| Pre-UFC Professional (2014–2017) | 8 | 8 | 2 KO/TKO, 4 Sub, 2 Dec |
Dan Ige Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Daniel Alexander Ige’s parents and early family life is limited, and the available sources do not provide verified details on a broader combat-sports lineage. He grew up in Haleiwa, Hawaii, and has spoken about the strong athletic culture of the islands shaping his work ethic.
Personal Life
Daniel Alexander Ige is married to his wife, Savannah, and the couple has a son, born in 2021. He has spent much of his professional career based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he trains at Xtreme Couture MMA and the American Kickboxing Academy while balancing family life with a demanding fight schedule.
2025 Season Performance
Daniel Alexander Ige opened 2025 with one of his most impressive performances in recent memory, stopping Sean Woodson via third-round technical knockout at UFC 314 in April. The win reinforced his place inside the UFC featherweight top 15 and provided momentum heading into the back half of the year.
At UFC 318 in July, Ige took on former Bellator featherweight and lightweight champion Patrício Pitbull and dropped a unanimous decision. The loss was a setback, but his activity and prior finish kept his standing intact as the year progressed.
Ranked #13 in the UFC featherweight division as of early November 2025, Ige remains a high-volume, well-rounded veteran of the roster. With his blend of wrestling, striking, and submission skills, he continues to test top opposition and serve as a reliable test for rising featherweight contenders.