A huge fight at prelims of UFC Fight Night 120 Norfolk, where Sage Northcutt takes on striker Michel Quiñones in a lightweight scrap that had fight fans licking their lips.
Lightweights!@SageNorthcutt returns to the Octagon after almost a year to take on Michel Quinones NOW on @FS1! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/gLdFmI5sEk
— UFC (@ufc) November 12, 2017
With both losses in his professional career coming at welterweight, Sage Northcutt believed that fighting back down at 155lbs would allow him to thrive.
“I think I’m one of the fastest and strongest lightweights out there,” he said beforehand. “I’m so explosive for the division, and I have lots of power. In the future, I could fight up at 170 again as I put on muscle and get bigger because I’m only 21 years old, but right now at 155 I feel great.”
Sage also does all his training with Urijah Faber and his crew at Team Alpha Male (TAM).
“The environment is amazing. It’s like a family there,” Northcutt says. “Mr. Faber has been helping me out pretty much every single day, one-on-one, and helping me get better. He has just the right toolset for me.
“I think I’ve improved everywhere, from standup to wrestling, to jiu-jitsu. It’s really all aspects.”
"A little bit of attitude on Sage tonight." @FelderPaul
Agree? #UFCNorfolk
— UFC (@ufc) November 12, 2017
Sage Northcutt 7-0 has found life a bit tougher at the top ranks of the sport, loss two of his last three fights before this one.
He knew that a win was important to the advancement of his career, so he wanted to prove to his fans by putting on a great show.
“A win would mean so much,” Northcutt says. “I haven’t fought since December, so almost an entire year. I’m looking forward to this fight and then having more fights coming up real soon. I’m looking to put on a great show.”
In the first round, Michel starts off with a leg kick, Northcutt sat back and relied on the counter, landing a lot of vicious strikes and finishing the round with a takedown.
BIG combo from @SageNorthcutt, who BARELY misses on the head kick! #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/4cP8nmKAYj
— UFC (@ufc) November 12, 2017
In the second round, Northcutt used more kicks and started to open up by landing a lot. He finished the second round with another takedown.
Super Sage is back!@SageNorthcutt #UFCNorfolk pic.twitter.com/PwmX67LCTH
— UFC (@ufc) November 12, 2017
Eventually, Sage Northcutt defeats Michel Quinones via unanimous decision 30-27. Sage followed up his win with an insane flip wow!
Super Sage Northcutt is back! Flip out! #UFCNorfolk https://t.co/uJavsckBbE
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 12, 2017
