“I Was So Numb and Had No Feelings or Emotions”- UFC Star Dan Ige Opens Up About Overcoming Mental Health Struggles Ahead of UFC Vegas 67 Return

Many fighters have opened up about overcoming the social stigma of being a male and opening up about mental health struggles. UFC featherweight Dan Ige is the latest addition to that list. In a recent appearance on ‘Just Scrap Radio,’ the 31-year-old disclosed how a three-fight losing skid following the birth of his child put him in a downward spiral mentally. The Hawaiian also admitted that he had to overcome social stigmas surrounding male mental health to seek help and finally speak up about the struggles he had to go through.

Ige’s last three losses were to The Korean Zombie, Josh Emmett, and Movsar Evloev. All three were decision losses and his main event clash against Zombie could have been a potential title eliminator. Incidentally, his last win was in March 2021 and ’50k’ admitted he is too much of a perfectionist to not be affected by it.

Dan Ige opens up about depression

For Ige, the loss to The Korean Zombie kick-started his mental struggles. He went into the fight expecting a title shot if he could knock out the veteran and fell short.

However, Zombie got the judges’ nod on the scorecards. It was also Ige’s first loss as a dad and therefore dealt a significant blow to his confidence.

“Losing that, the first loss as a dad, I took that one pretty hard. I was depressed for a little bit, I put a lot into winning and losing, and my identity was placed on that.”

‘5ok’ also said, “I was so numb and had no feelings or emotions” during the walkout for the Emmett fight. However, the 15-6 featherweight found solace in the fight, despite his second loss in a row. He said that he fought a good skillful fight despite not being there mentally.

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Ige took confidence from the Emmett fight into the Evloev fight. However, he fell short against the undefeated prospect as well. Finally, the loss against Evloev is what got him back on his track.

’50k’ on tending to his mental health

Ige said, “It took me losing three times to really dig deep and dig to my roots. Just start working on myself and working on my mental health and personal life…” The 31-year-old revealed he talked to a sports psychologist, adding that it was something he should have done years ago.

In Ige’s own words, “A lot of good came from that, and going through that… it helped me reveal my greater purpose… I’m a human like you and anyone else and I have the same feelings and emotions. Just getting rooted and grounded again and understanding my feelings has helped me become a better fighter.”

With a renewed sense of himself, Ige will step into the octagon at UFC Vegas 67 against Damon Jackson.

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How do you expect this fight to play out? Will ’50k’ end his losing streak? And what are your reactions to Ige opening up about his mental health? Voice your thoughts in the comments below.