It’s been a year since Sage Northcutt underwent facial reconstruction surgery, but he’s yet to get fully cleared by doctors.
It’s been a year since [autotag]Sage Northcutt[/autotag] underwent facial reconstruction surgery, but doctors have yet to clear him for his return to mixed martial arts competition.
Northcutt (11-3 MMA) suffered a first-round knockout loss to Cosmo Alexandre in his ONE Championship debut last May, which resulted in a nine-hour surgery to repair eight facial fractures.
It was Northcutt’s first career knockout loss, but the brutal finish left him with damage that has prevented him from full-contact sparring to this day.
“I’m also healing up still,” Northcutt told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’m waiting for the doctors to give me the OK to have full contact, but man, I’m still eager and I can’t wait to get back out there and fight again, and I’m looking forward to it. I don’t really like to talk about it, still the same injury of course from my last fight, just healing up from that but just waiting for the doctors to give me the OK.
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“I’m waiting until I can have the ability to have full-contact training because nobody wants to be able to go into a fight obviously if they’re not feeling well and they’re not healed up. And nobody wants to go into a fight, too, if they’re not being able to train full contact and train as hard as they can so as for me coming back, I want to be able to train as hard as I can and be my best ever.”
ONE Championship, like the majority of MMA promotions across the world, is currently on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak. But should they return within the next couple of months, it appears Northcutt’s comeback may be a delayed a little longer as he waits for his clearance.
He’s not sure when he’s fighting next, but when he does, Sage Northcutt plans on returning to the weight class where he’s been most successful.
Those who have followed [autotag]Sage Northcutt[/autotag]’s career can predict a couple things about how he’s handling stay-at-home time during the coronavirus pandemic: 1. The energetic Texan is probably getting a little restless; and 2. He’s nonetheless maintaining his upbeat disposition.
Such assertions would be correct. Northcutt hasn’t fought in nearly a year, and who knows how much longer it will be before the MMA world gets back up to full speed. But whenever it happens, Northcutt says he’s going to be ready for action.
“I miss it a ton,” Northcutt recently told MMA Junkie. “I have more fire right now in my stomach and more drive to get out there and compete, more than ever. So I want to get back out there as soon as possible. I know this quarantine stuff is pretty crazy and I’m healing up, but I can’t wait, dude.”
Unfortunately for Northcutt, he’s had a bit too much time to reflect on his ONE Championship debut. Competing at 185 pounds for the first time in his career, Northcutt was knocked out in just 29 seconds by Cosmo Alexandre at “ONE Championship 96: Enter the Dragon” last May and was left with his orbital bone broken in eight different places.
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With plenty of time to recover and regroup, Northcutt has decided he’s dropping back down two weight classes to 155 pounds, where he’s seen his greatest career success to date – he was a perfect 5-0 at lightweight (which ONE calls featherweight) in the UFC.
“I’m still healing up, and I can’t wait to be able to get out there and fight again,” he enthused. “I know it’s going to be a while, but I’m going to be strong and I’m going to go back to where I used to fight at 155. I was undefeated in the UFC in that weight class – I was 5-0 – and I think I’m just naturally more for that weight class. So instead of fighting at welterweight, what ONE Championship calls it at 185 pounds that I went up to, I’m going (down) two weight classes to featherweight (155). It’s going to be good.”
We don’t know when ONE Championship will resume action, or when Northcutt’s next fight might be. But, the way he sees it, the drop back to his weight class is a chance to get back to basics all around.
“I have a lot of different techniques and strengths that I never really get to use because, in training, I’m always trying to improve myself instead of going back to the basics and using those things,” Northcutt said. “So there’s a lot of different things, and of course every time someone has a loss or something doesn’t go right, you’re able to learn from it. So that’s exactly what I did. Having this time off in between I’ve done lots of studying, watching footage of different fighters, studying up on the ONE fighters in the weight class I’m gonna be at, so I think it’s going to be a great thing for me.”
Sage Northcutt is keeping his body AND mind sharp during the coronavirus lockdown.
With a comfy couch and access to Netflix nearby and a refrigerator within easy reach, staying in shape while on lockdown is a real challenge for most of us during the coronavirus pandemic.
But [autotag]Sage Northcutt[/autotag] isn’t most of us.
“Super” Sage is still recovering from his injuries sustained last year in his ONE Championship debut, but the ever-optimistic Texan says he’ll be ready to return soon enough. But in the meantime, during this enforced period of home-bound isolation, Northcutt is making sure he keeps his body and his mind in shape ahead of his competitive return.
Speaking with MMA Junkie, the former UFC prospect revealed his activity list for successful lockdown life at home.
“You know what? Tons of push-ups, tons of sit-ups,” Northcutt said, before switching gears and producing an elaborate model he’d been working on.
“I built this just yesterday, actually,” he continued. “I like building things. I was in school to be an engineer. I built this whole entire thing. It’s kinda cool. It’s like a little catapult-looking thing.”
We didn’t get a full look at the contraption during the interview, so we hit up Sage on WhatsApp afterward, and he fired over a couple of pictures. After looking it up online, it turns out it’s a self-assembly marble run, and a pretty cool-looking one at that.
Sage is clearly making the most of his time at home as he stays in ridiculous shape while keeping his brain ticking over with puzzles and projects like this.
“Puzzles, push-ups, sit-ups, staying fit, eating clean, those kinds of things,” he said.
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
While most of us are binging on Netflix and Disney+ during the COVID-19 lockdown. ONE Championship’s Sage Northcutt is staying in shape and constructing intricate models, as he showed MMA Junkie’s Simon Head during their recent interview.
While most of us are binging on Netflix and Disney+ during the COVID-19 lockdown. ONE Championship’s Sage Northcutt is staying in shape and constructing intricate models, as he showed MMA Junkie’s Simon Head during their recent interview.
After a damaging defeat on his ONE Championship debut, Sage Northcutt is dropping from ONE’s welterweight (185-pound) division to their featherweight (155-pound) class, where he hopes to continue his unbeaten run at that weight.
After a damaging defeat on his ONE Championship debut, Sage Northcutt is dropping from ONE’s welterweight (185-pound) division to their featherweight (155-pound) class, where he hopes to continue his unbeaten run at that weight.
Demetrious Johnson and Angela Lee head a list of ONE Championship’s stars offering words of support to fans during the coronavirus crisis.
We all need a little positivity in our lives right now, and the stars of ONE Championship are on hand to deliver.
A host of ONE Championship’s biggest names joined forces to share a message of support to their fans around the world as we all battle to cope with a new way of life during the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Recording video messages from their homes, ONE stars [autotag]Demetrious Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Martin Nguyen[/autotag], [autotag]Sage Northcutt[/autotag], [autotag]Aung La N Sang[/autotag], [autotag]Angela Lee[/autotag], and [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] came together to send their positive messages to everyone as the world adapts to life during the global lockdown.
Demetrious Johnson, ONE flyweight grand prix champion
“I just want to give everybody some positive vibes. Take some time to enjoy the family and get things done that you don’t have time normally to do. I know a lot of people are going crazy. They can’t go to their gym, they can’t work out, they’ve got to stay on their fitness grind. Don’t worry about that. That’s gonna be there.”
Martin Nguyen, ONE featherweight champion
“I know the world’s going through a disaster at the moment. I urge everyone to please stay home, stay safe, be with family. You are not alone in this situation. The world will all get through this together.”
Sage Northcutt, ONE championship lightweight
“I know right now the world is fighting off this coronavirus and for so many of us to set back, set back our family, our work, the things we do in our day-to-day life. But our success comes in overcoming this hardship, and defeating it. So don’t give up, keep your faith up, stay strong and together we’re stronger. We’ve got this.”
Aung La N Sang, ONE middleweight and light heavyweight champion
“It’s important that we keep safe. It’s important that we stay healthy, hydrated and get plenty of sleep, because if our immune system’s weak, we can be compromised. So it’s very important our immune system is strong and our body is healthy. Stay safe, guys.”
Angela Lee, ONE women’s atomweight champion
“We’re all going through a very uncertain time, and I know it may be hard, but we’ve got to stay positive. Yes, life may not be like it usually is. There’s some things we have to change, things that get in the way. Trips canceled, fights delayed. But I can guarantee you there’s at least one thing that you can be grateful for right now. So let’s count our blessings. Let’s stay grateful, stay healthy, and we’ll get through this together.”
Vitor Belfort, ONE championship light heavyweight
“This virus affects every place on the planet. And the lesson is everyone is locked down, everyone is struggling, but I believe the lesson we learn is love your kids more. More time for you to dig inside of you. Who are you? What’s your identity? Remember, we are one – one people fighting one virus. This virus is so small, so tiny. How can that thing can everybody down on their knees? Don’t stay down. Stay positive. Get back up. Do as much as you can right now. Isolate yourself. Time now is in your favor. Let’s use it. Be smart. We are all one. Let’s go.”
The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.
Some of the most significant in-fight moments and records in UFC history have occurred and been etched in stone over the past decade.
The past decade of UFC action has seen a lot unfold, and it is arguably the most important in the organization’s history from in terms of evolution.
Only within this era have statistics truly come to the forefront. After so many years of fights, the groundwork for what’s viewed as meaningful and the history attached has finally been laid out. The athletes and techniques have evolved, too, meaning new methods of causing damage and finishing fights are attempted and pulled off with a higher rate of frequency.
That evolution is apparent in the history books, because some of the most significant moments and records in UFC history have occurred over this past decade.
Let’s dig into the archives.
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EVENT FEATS
Sajik Arena in South Korea
The UFC held 363 events in 159 difference venues across 26 countries over the past decade.
“UFC 243: Whittaker vs. Adesanya” in October 2019 had the highest announced attendance in company history at 57,127.
“UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor” in November 2016 sold a largest live gate in company history at $17.7 million.
“UFC Fight Night 121: Werdum vs. Tybura” in November 2017 had the most total fight time of any event in company history at 3 hours, 4 minutes and 18 seconds.
“UFC Fight Night 55:: Rockhold vs. Bisping” in November 2014 had the least total fight time of those events at 1 hour, 3 minutes and 51 seconds.
The UFC canceled four events over the decade: UFC 151 in September 2012; UFC 176 in August 2014; UFC Fight Night 97 in October 2016 and UFC 233 in January 2019.
Michael Bisping def. Luke Rockhold at UFC 199
“UFC Fight Night 55: Rockhold vs. Bisping” and “UFC 224: Nunes vs. Pennington” in May 2018 each featured 11 stoppage results, the most for any card in company history.
“UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez” in April 2013, “UFC Fight Night 45: Cerrone vs. Miller” in July 2014, “UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2,” in June 2016 and “UFC 218: Holloway vs. Aldo 2” in December 2017 each featured eight knockout results, the most of the decade.
“UFC on FUEL TV 10: Werdum vs. Nogueira” in June 2013 featured eight submission results, the most for any card in company history.
Seven events each featured 10 decision results, the most for any card in company history.
“UFC Fight Night 134: Shogun vs. Smith” in July 2018 and “UFC on ESPN 4: Dos Anjos vs. Edwards” each featured nine consecutive decision results, the longest streak on a card in company history.
“UFC Fight Night 79: Henderson vs. Masvidal” in November 2015 and “UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya” in March 2018 each featured five split-decision results, the most for any card in company history.
Henry Cejudo def. Marlon Moraes at UFC 238
“UFC 238: Cejudo vs. Moraes” in June 2019 featured a total of 1,818 significant strikes landed, a single-event record for the company.
“UFC 223: Khabib vs. Iaquinta” in April 2018 featured seven fighters who landed 100 or more significant strikes, a single-event record for the company.
“UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2” in June 2016 featured 15 knockdowns, a single-event record for the company.
“UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor” in July 2015 was the only event in company history to feature two knockouts stemming from flying knee strikes.
“UFC 228: Woodley vs. Till” in September 2018 was the only event in company history to feature two kneebar submission results.
“UFC 217: Bisping vs. St-Pierre” in November 2017 marked the only event in history to feature three title changes.
Recap the best knockout finishes from Asian MMA promotion ONE Championship in their end-of-year countdown.
It’s been a spectacular year for Singapore-based promotion ONE Championship. With big-name signings and a packed schedule of events encompassing MMA, kickboxing and Muay Thai, 2019 has been the biggest year in ONE Championship history.
The promotion has served up more than its fair share of spectacular finishes over the course of the year, as the stars of Asian MMA have delivered a plethora of eye-catching knockouts to wow the fans across the region.
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In Part 2 of ONE’s official countdown of their Top 10 knockouts of the year, we recap the finishes that occupy spots 6 to 4 on their list, with three more ONE Championship stars joining the list with spectacular KOs.
The latest batch of entrants features two Filipino strawweights, with [autotag]Robin Catalan[/autotag]’s stunning head-kick KO of Gustavo Balart slotting in at No. 4 and [autotag]Jeremy Miado[/autotag]’s finish of China’s Miao Li Tao listed at No. 6. But perhaps the most notable addition to the list is that of [autotag]Cosmo Alexandre[/autotag] at No. 5.
The Brazilian kickboxer, known as “Good Boy”, had previously competed in ONE’s striking-only league ONE Super Series against the world’s top kickboxers and Muay Thai fighters, but he also had a 7-1 MMA record (including a 5-1 record in Bellator) from earlier in his career. And the power striker switched back to MMA to welcome former UFC prospect [autotag]Sage Northcutt[/autotag] to the ONE Championship ring at “ONE: Enter The Dragon” back in May, and handed the young Texan a brutal beating as he finished “Super” Sage in devastating fashion in just 29 seconds.
Northcutt’s first career knockout loss left him with facial fractures that saw him undergo nine hours of surgery. But the always-upbeat 23-year-old was in typically good spirits afterwards, saying: “My terminator face is not too shabby. ‘I’ll be back!'”
Recap the latest additions to ONE’s Knockouts of the Year list via the video above, or via YouTube here.
ONE Championship’s Knockouts of the Year 2019 – 4-10:
Sage Northcutt learned some valuable lessons after being brutally knocked out in his ONE debut at 185 pounds.
[autotag]Sage Northcutt[/autotag]’s ONE Championship debut didn’t go according to plan, but he’ll be making some changes.
Northcutt (11-3) suffered a devastating first-round knockout at the hands of Cosmo Alexandre last May. His cheekbone was shattered, and he’s been on the road to recovery ever since. The bout was contested at welterweight, which in ONE is at 185 pounds. That’s 30 pounds more than several fights Northcutt was part of during his UFC tenure, which is 155 pounds, where he is yet to be defeated.
“I’m not really thinking about any opponents right now, just thinking how I’m going to go down two weight classes,” Northcutt said. “So my previous organization I was in, I was 5-0 at 155 pounds, so I’m going to go back down to featherweight.”
Featherweight being 155 pounds in ONE, as Northcutt believes he was the smaller fighter, trying to put on weight to physically grow into the 185-pound frame.
“I fought up at 185 pounds, so I was eating and drinking a lot to be able to get on some weight because I’m only 23, and I’m trying to put on some muscle, so now I’m going to go back down,” Northcutt said. “I learned my lesson about fighting a weight class too big, going back down to 155, and it’ll be better for me.”
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Northcutt is currently waiting for full clearance from doctors, but in the meantime is staying in shape, hopeful to return sometime early next year.
And he’s confident that the move back down to 155 pounds will produce results, as he still believes he can make an impact in ONE’s featherweight division.
“I’m expecting to be a smarter version of myself,” he said. “I’ve been doing a lot of, I guess, studying up of what happened in my previous fight, watching so many fights and stuff. So smarter me, a faster version of me, because I’m going back down two weight classes and a more dominant version, because I was undefeated at that weight class. I still am, and I believe I’ll be dominant there.”
