Dan Ige vs Patricio Pitbull is one of the fights to watch in UFC 318, as Patricio Pitbull, who was the double champ at Bellator, lost his first fight in his UFC debut, and now he is ready to fight back. UFC 318 prediction for this fight is Dan Ige because of some factors that we are going to discuss in the article.
This fight is going to be very interesting as both the fighters are so skillful, and both are under pressure to win this fight.
We are going to break down this fight based on different attributes.
UFC 318 Prediction: Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull
| Attribute | Dan Ige | Patricio Pitbull | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striking | High-output boxer with crisp combinations and a powerful right hand. Uses feints and shifting combos to set up power shots. Effective jab and kicks to control range. Lands 3.67 significant strikes per minute with 45% accuracy. | Elite counter-striker with knockout power. Precise and tactical, but showed hesitancy in UFC debut. Averages 2.45 significant strikes per minute with 40% accuracy. | Ige |
| Grappling | Strong wrestling base with solid top control when he chooses to grapple. 0.94 takedowns per 15 minutes with 25% accuracy, but 58% takedown defense suggests vulnerability. | World-class jiu-jitsu with 12 submission wins. Can chain grappling from striking exchanges. 0.69 takedowns per 15 minutes with 88% takedown defense. | Pitbull |
| Cardio | Known for maintaining a high pace over three rounds. Can push a dogfight style without fading, as seen in his recent fights. | Historically durable in five-round fights in Bellator, but looked flat in three-round UFC debut, possibly due to age. | Ige |
| Chin/Durability | Never been knocked out or submitted in 28 pro fights, showcasing exceptional durability. Absorbs 3.55 strikes per minute with 56% defense. | Has been hurt in recent fights and absorbed heavy damage against Rodriguez (70 significant strikes). 57% strike defense. | Ige |
| Fight IQ | 19-9 record, 11-8 in UFC. Faced top-tier competition like Kattar, Lopes, and Murphy, but was inconsistent at the highest level. | Crafty with combinations and adapts well to opponents’ styles. Can mix striking and grappling, but sometimes relies on durability in brawls. | Pitbull |
| Experience | 36-8 record, 24-6 in Bellator. Two-division champion with 18 title fights. More overall fights, but newer to UFC. | Fights out of Las Vegas but was born in Hawaii. The The New Orleans crowd may favor him slightly as a UFC veteran. | Pitbull |
| Momentum | Coming off a third-round TKO win over Sean Woodson at UFC 314, snapping a two-fight skid. | 1-3 in last four fights, including a unanimous decision loss to Yair Rodriguez in UFC debut. | Ige |
| Home Advantage | Fights out of Las Vegas but was born in Hawaii. The New Orleans crowd may favor him slightly as a UFC veteran. | Training in Natal, Brazil, and fighting in a new environment. No significant home advantage. | Ige |
| Overall Prediction | Ige’s youth, durability, and high-output striking should control the pace. Likely to outwork Pitbull over three rounds with superior volume and pressure. | Pitbull’s experience and grappling could pose problems, but age and recent form suggest he’ll struggle to keep up with Ige’s pace. | Ige via Decision |
Conclusion
- Age vs. Youth: At 38, Pitbull’s performance against Yair Rodriguez showed signs of decline, particularly in speed and explosiveness, while Ige, at 33, remains in his physical prime.
- Stylistic Matchup: Ige’s aggressive, high-volume striking contrasts with Pitbull’s counter-striking and grappling. If Pitbull can’t secure takedowns, he may struggle to match Ige’s output.
- UFC Experience: Ige’s familiarity with the UFC octagon gives him an edge over Pitbull, who is still adapting after a long Bellator career.
- Motivation: Pitbull is in a must-win situation to prove he belongs in the UFC, which could bring out a more aggressive version of him. However, Ige’s recent win and callout of Pitbull show he’s confident and prepared.
- Betting Odds: Ige is favored at -200, with Pitbull as the +165 underdog, reflecting confidence in Ige’s current form and durability.