Dan Ige Names Potential Opponent Options & Desired Location For Next UFC Fight After KO Of Andre Fili

Speaking about his win, Ige admitted that he had envisioned knocking Fili out in the manner he did.

"I've had visions, I've had dreams of knocking him out," Ige said. "But you can't go in there and just expect to knock the guy out and it doesn't happen. But it did tonight, and it felt nice. I definitely dreamed that one."

Ige was once ranked in the top 10 at 145 pounds but suffered four defeats in five fights, losing to Calvin Kattar, "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung, Josh Emmett, and Movsar Evloev.

Ige has since won three in four outings, with his current momentum also including victories against Damon Jackson and Nate Landwehr.

With Ige looking at a possible rise in the rankings, he's already begun to eye key matchups and potential future opponents that could further boost his stock. Names he's looking at include rising star Diego Lopes, former title challenger Brian Ortega and former interim champion Yair Rodríguez.

"There's multiple options. If Lopes gets through Sodiq [Yusuff], that could be a good one," Ige said. "Or I could take the loser of, maybe, Ortega and Yair — one of those guys depending on how their fight goes in Mexico City."

Ige also teased that he hopes his next fight comes in late summer or early fall, desiring to be a part of the UFC's next Mexican Independence Day weekend card. This year's event is expected to be the UFC's first at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

"I know they're going to want to stack it for Mexican Independence Day with a bunch of Mexicans, but I've got a left hook like a Mexican, too," Ige said.

Whether Ige's preferences for his return come to fruition or not remains to be seen, but he'll certainly be keeping his eye on a number of upcoming matchups in the featherweight division.