TLDR
- David Martinez, ranked No. 7 at bantamweight, faces Dan Ige at UFC Noche in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday
- Ige drops to bantamweight for the first time after losing two straight fights at featherweight
- Martinez is a heavy favorite with odds ranging from -440 to better than 1.24 across sportsbooks
- Martinez recently defeated former title challenger Marlon Vera and Rob Font in his last two fights
- The 34-year-old Ige was stopped in the first round by Melquizael Costa in his most recent bout in February
Sources: clutchpoints.com | rg.org
David Martinez will face Dan Ige in a bantamweight bout opening the main card at UFC Noche on Saturday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The fight pits a rising contender against a veteran making his first appearance at a new weight class.
Martinez enters the fight ranked No. 7 in the bantamweight division with a record of 14-1. The former orthopedic surgeon has won his last several UFC fights, including a unanimous decision over former title challenger Marlon Vera at UFC Mexico in February 2026 and a victory over Rob Font in September.
His striking accuracy stands at 47 percent, and he has shown knockout power throughout his recent run. Martinez remains unbeaten in his current UFC streak as he looks to continue climbing the rankings.
Ige Drops to Bantamweight After Losses
Ige brings a record of 19-11 into the fight but is coming off back-to-back defeats. He was stopped in the first round by Melquizael Costa via spinning back kick and follow-up punches in February, following a unanimous decision loss to Patricio Pitbull last July.
#NocheUFC final card and pick sheet for tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/h2SEPCRHbc
— 3KFighting (@3KFighting) September 11, 2026
The 34-year-old has competed in more than 20 UFC bouts, all at featherweight. This marks his first time dropping to the 135-pound bantamweight division.
Ige specifically requested this fight and believes the weight cut could work in his favor. His team has stated he sees a potential speed and power advantage at the lower weight class.
Betting Lines Favor Martinez Heavily
Sportsbooks have installed Martinez as a heavy favorite across multiple platforms. DraftKings lists him at -440 with Ige at +340.
Other books show similar numbers, with Martinez ranging from 1.24 to 1.27 in decimal odds. Ige’s underdog price varies between 3.68 and 4.10 depending on the sportsbook.
The over/under for the fight is set at 2.5 rounds, with the over priced at -230 and the under at +175. Most analysts expect the fight to go the distance based on the betting lines.
Martinez’s recent form against ranked competition gives him the edge on paper. His victories over Vera and Font demonstrated his ability to compete at the division’s top level.
Ige’s durability has been tested throughout his career against elite featherweight competition. He has absorbed damage in previous fights and continued competing until the final bell.
The weight cut remains the biggest question mark for Ige. Fighters moving down in weight class for the first time often face unpredictable challenges with strength and cardio that may not appear until later in the fight.
Martinez’s knockout power and striking accuracy give him multiple paths to victory. He can finish fights standing or grind out decisions when needed.
Ige’s well-rounded skill set includes boxing, wrestling, and grappling. If he can weather early power shots from Martinez, his veteran experience could become a factor as the fight progresses.
The fight opens the main card at UFC Noche, which also features former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno and a late replacement main event between Jean Silva and Jose Miguel Delgado.
