Sage Northcutt on ONE 165: ‘This is The Biggest Opportunity I’ve Had in ONE’

Sage Northcutt on fighting for the ONE lightweight world title on a card in the United States: “That would be really cool, I would love that.”

For Sage Northcutt, that meant spending nearly four years with the taste of defeat. After a successful run in the UFC, Northcutt lost in his ONE Championship debut in May of 2019 against Cosmo Alexandre, suffering the indignity of getting knocked out.

A pandemic, fight cancellations, and an assortment of injuries prevented Northcutt from returning as soon as he would have liked. Following that 2019 bout, his next fight did not take place until last May. During ONE’s maiden voyage to the United States, Northcutt made an emphatic statement at ONE Fight Night 10, submitting Ahmed Mujtaba in just 39 seconds.

“It was a weight off my shoulders,” said Northcutt. “It had been over four years since I’d had my last win, so it meant a lot. I was going against a tough opponent, and to win with a fantastic submission was even better. I wasn’t necessarily looking for the heel hook, but that’s what presented itself. We got into a grappling exchange, and I took advantage of what I saw.

“You’re only as good as your last performance. For me, for years, that was a loss. I’m thankful now that it’s a win.”

Courtesy ONE Championship

With the victory, Northcutt approaches his next bout with even more optimism. He fights Shinya Aoki at ONE 165 on January 28, a pay-per-view that airs live on watch.ONEFC.com from Japan at 3am this Sunday.

If Northcutt (12-3) wins his second fight in a row, there is reason to believe he will be in line to challenge reigning ONE lightweight world champion Christian Lee. With ONE returning twice to America this year–first on September 6 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado for ONE Fight Night 26, followed by November 8 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia for ONE Fight Night 28–Northcutt is a candidate to fight for the lightweight title on a U.S. card.

“That would be really cool, I would love that,” said Northcutt, who turns 28 in March. “I’d love to be on one of those cards.

“That’s up to ONE Championship. I’m completely focused on the fight right in front of me. After that, we’ll take a look at what’s next.”

ONE Championship Announces U.S. Cities and 2024 Calendar

The priority remains a victory at ONE 165. Northcutt’s focus is on Aoki’s grappling, striking, and wrestling up against the cage. The 40-year-old Aoki is an opponent Northcutt should defeat, and he is particularly excited to compete at Ariake Arena in Tokyo against a former ONE lightweight champion.

“This is the biggest opportunity I’ve had in ONE, the biggest opponent,” said Northcutt. “He’s an ex-champion, had almost 60 pro fights, never been submitted, and he’s one of the longest-reigning champs, too. And Japan is the home of fighting. Even in anime, right? This is a huge opportunity. I’m really pumped for it.”

After years of experiencing that biting, discontented taste of defeat, Northcutt is eager to build a winning streak.

“I’m coming to bring it,” said Northcutt. “I’m looking for a finish, and it’s going to be exciting.”