In a remarkable turn of events, UFC featherweight fighter Dan Ige made headlines over the weekend for accepting a fight on just three hours' notice. The 165-pound bout against Diego Lopes took place at UFC 303, marking one of the shortest-notice fights in modern UFC history.

The unexpected sequence of events began when Brian Ortega, Lopes's original opponent, withdrew from the co-main event nearly an hour into the pay-per-view event. UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell received the news at 3:41 p.m. PT on Saturday and immediately reached out to Ige's manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

Meanwhile, Ige was blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding in the fight world as he enjoyed a deep-tissue massage at his home in Las Vegas. It was only after Abdelaziz frantically called him that Ige learned about Ortega's withdrawal. Without hesitation, Ige agreed to step in to fight Lopes.

What followed was a flurry of activity to make the last-minute fight a reality. Thanks to a rarely used regulation in Nevada, Ige's medicals from a previous fight were deemed sufficient, and both fighters were at the same weight. The NSAC chairman, Dallas Haun, authorized the bout, which took place 20 pounds over the featherweight limit.

Ige's coach, Eric Nicksick, quickly joined forces with former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland to prepare Ige for the unexpected co-main event. Nicksick even had to make a last-minute dash to the gym to retrieve Ige's cup. All the while, at the Ige household, even family members were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.

When Ige arrived at the T-Mobile Arena loading dock, he was escorted inside and made weight at 164.5 pounds, while Lopes weighed in at 161 pounds. Despite the lack of preparation time, Ige displayed his fighting spirit throughout the match, rallying in the third round and leaving a lasting impression.

Although Ige lost by unanimous decision, his courage and determination garnered enormous respect from the fighting community. UFC president Dana White, known for being tough to impress, was particularly appreciative of Ige's performance. This fight, in which he willingly jumped into the octagon with just hours' notice, brought him newfound love and exposure.

Behind the scenes, there is a significant backstory to Ige's journey in the UFC. Prior to his signing, there was a pivotal moment in 2017 when Ige, with less than 10 fights on his record, competed on "Dana White's Contender Series" but was not offered a UFC contract. However, Campbell, the UFC's chief business officer, encouraged him to persevere, assuring him that his time would come.

Four months later, Ige found himself in New York, assisting Abdelaziz at Madison Square Garden during a UFC event. It was there that Campbell, impressed by Ige's dedication and potential, approached him after an evening at a nightclub. The conversation led to a UFC contract being signed, and Ige's journey in the prestigious organization began.

Campbell, who has dealt with countless fighters during his tenure, attests that Ige's words that night in the nightclub have become reality. Ige's unwavering dedication, belief in himself, and willingness to face any opponent have made him an invaluable asset to the UFC.

Despite the outcome of his last-minute fight, Dan Ige's story is a testament to his indomitable spirit and his commitment to putting on a show for fans. As the dust settles, Ige can reflect on his unexpected journey from a serene massage table to the bright lights of the UFC co-main event.