Electrifying striker Edson “Junior” Barboza makes his featherweight debut against Hawaii’s Dan “50K” Ige. Barboza makes the switch to featherweight coming off a two-fight losing streak at lightweight. While Ige is on a five-fight win streak, with the most recent a split decision win over Mirsad Bektic

Round 1

Ige starts aggressively punching into Barbara’s guard. Edson lands a big right elbow over the top. A huge right hook from Barboza lands on the temple and drops Ige. And Barboza lands some shots in Ige’s guard. Beautiful hammerfists from Barboza. The fight goes back to the feet as Ige escapes. Big outside leg kick from Barboza. Good right hand dig to the body by Ige. Ige lands a hard straight right hand. Two hard leg kicks from Edson. Ige fights back aggressively and shows incredible toughness after eating heavy shots from Edson. Ige with a cut under his right eye.

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Barboza

Round 2

Big firefight to start the round with Ige scoring two heavy shots. Big body kick by Edson followed by a nice low kick by 50K. Barboza with the Thai clinch and some nice shots bit Ige gamely fires back and lands. Ige with a couple more big shots that were partially blocked by Edson’s guard. Ige shoots for a takedown but Barboza with a sprawl that stops Ige. Barboza with a nice left hook and later a strong right hand. Body kick by Barboza hurts Ige as the knee connects on the liver. Barboza takes Ige down and lands some hard hammerfists

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Barboza

Round 3

Big body kick by Edson followed by a sweet 1-2. Another big left body kick for Edson. Ige swing with everything he has on a big looping right hand that appeared to be fully blocked by Barboza. Nice straight right to the body scores for Ige. Good knee in the clinch from Barboza. Ige looks for the takedown but Junior defends well. Barboza with a beautiful heavy calf kick. Ige impressively eats it without any wince or expression. Ige gets a bodylock and takedown with about a minute left in the round. Barboza with butterfly guard. Ige gets off a bit of damage but nothing major as it appears too little, too late for 50K

Seattle Fights round score – 10-9 Barboza 

Official decision – Split decision for Ige (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Postscript – that was a hard-fought bout but a bit of a head scratcher of a decision. Ige had some really nice moments but seemingly nowhere near as many as Barboza from this writer’s seat.