LAS VEGAS – Getting in a fight inside the cage seems like the most obvious battle of all for a UFC athlete, but sometimes there are internal forces at work that make things even more of a challenge.
Top featherweight contender Dan Ige has felt the pressure and the harm that can result if not channeled properly. Ahead of his UFC Fight Night 228 bout Saturday vs. Bryce Mitchell (15-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) at the UFC Apex, Ige (17-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) spoke openly about his struggle with perfectionistic tendencies and how he’s dealt with them.
“I’m not going to lie. I still struggle with it,” Ige told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I still struggle with perfectionism. I still struggle with trying to do everything right – and I do. But I also give myself a little grace. I kind of figured out and understand the important of brotherhood and friendship and community and I have a sports psychologist. We talk about it weekly. We talk about these things we all go through as human beings. I’m still human, so yes, I still deal with that. At the same time, I still deal with that but I know how to handle it a little bit better.”
