Dan Ige vs. Damon Jackson is scheduled for three rounds in the featherweight division as the co-main event on the UFC Fight Night card from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
This featherweight crossroads clash pits a fading force against a rising contender, and only one can move closer to the Top 10.
UFC betting odds have Ige as a -125 favorite to win despite a three-fight skid. Jackson is the betting underdog at +105.
Here are our free Ige vs. Jackson picks and predictions for UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson fight odds
Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson method of victory odds
| Method of Victory | Dan Ige | Damon Jackson |
|---|---|---|
| To win by KO/TKO | +340 | +1,200 |
| To win by Points | +260 | +170 |
| To win by Submission | +950 | +700 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook on January 11, 2022.
Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson picks
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson betting preview
Ige is taking a step back in competition on paper, but his recent form suggests he’s fighting for his career. Jackson is riding a lot of momentum ahead of the clash, hoping a win over a division mainstay gets him closer to a big fight. These two have a lot to prove.
“Action” Jackson has won four in a row since Ilia Topuria put him down in one round back in 2020. He’s a rangy grappler who is making the most of his second run in the UFC, steadily climbing the featherweight ranks. Jackson is coming off a Performance of the Night win where he rocked Pat Sabatini and ended things with a first-round ground and pound.
The Texan is a purple belt in BJJ and utilizes a submission-heavy offense. He averages 2.65 significant strikes per minute at 41% accuracy with 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes at 40% accuracy with an average fight time of 8:55. Once Jackson gets you on the ground he’s extremely dangerous, as evidenced by his 15 submission wins.
Ige has seen better days, being winless for nearly two years. It wasn’t that long ago that Ige was on the cusp of a potential title shot at featherweight, but his fortunes have taken a turn for the worse. He is a versatile kickboxer with solid BJJ and wrestling skills, but hasn’t looked remotely competitive during a three-fight skid. To his credit, he’s been matched up pretty tough, but those losses to Chan Sung Jung, Josh Emmett, and Movsar Evloev were not a good look.
“50K” works best when he can get comfortable with his strikes. He averages 3.80 significant strikes per minute at 45% accuracy and 1.23 takedowns per 15 minutes at 25% accuracy. Ige has good conditioning and is durable, never having been knocked out or submitted at any point in his 21-fight career.
Ige’s struggles are partially forgiven, considering how strong his competition has been, which is why he’s the narrowest of favorites. Still, Jackson might have had the wrong style for him at this stage of his career. Tough guys like Ige eventually find a fighter who can’t trouble them or aren’t as complex as advertised. Either way, these two are known for spirited fights, and this should be no different.
Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson tale of the tape
| Dan Ige | Damon Jackson | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Age | 34 |
| 5-foot-7 | Height | 5-foot-11 |
| 145 lbs | Weight | 145 lbs |
| 71 inches | Reach | 73 inches |
| 15-6 (4 KO) | Record | 22-4-1 (4 KO) |
Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson UFC prediction and best bet
Our prediction is compiled from the analysis of the fighters and is an indication of who we are leaning with to win this bout.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this fight or where the most value lies, and is where we would put some of our bankroll behind.
Prediction: Jackson ML
When Ige fought Jung, he was grappled to oblivion and looked completely lost, and Evloev took him down nine times. That lacking takedown defense isn’t going to help him out here, especially as Jackson can bully him with his height and can get aggressive with his strikes if he has to. Unless Ige can land something big early on, he’ll be unable to defend against Jackson’s takedowns and will spend a lot of time on the mat.
It does seem inevitable that Jackson gets him on the ground. Ige’s wrestling and BJJ background might prevent him from getting submitted, but he’ll waste plenty of time trying to get back up. Jackson is the wrong style for Ige at this stage of his career, and he should spring a minor upset.
Prediction: Jackson moneyline (+105 at DraftKings)
Best bet: Jackson by decision
Jackson has all the tools he’ll need to keep Ige at bay and eventually take him down. While Ige looks to be falling apart at the seams, he’s as tough to finish as ever. If Jung and Evloev couldn’t do it with all the time they had him on the mat, neither should Jackson.
Jackson prevailing by decision at +180 is our best bet.
Pick: Jackson to win by decision (+180 at DraftKings)
