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ONE CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong has always been big on athletes who fight fans all over the world can rally behind as an inspiration. It is something they saw when they signed American mixed martial arts star Sage Northcutt back in 2018.
‘Super Sage’ made a successful return to the circle earlier this month after his ONE journey took an unexpected detour because of various medical issues that kept him out of competition for four years.
Sage Northcutt defeated Pakistani fighter Ahmed Mujtaba by submission (heel hook) just 39 seconds into their featured lightweight clash at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video on May 5 in the United States.
It marked the first time that the Team Alpha Male standout was back in action since his promotional debut in May 2019 where he suffered multiple facial fractures after being knocked out by Brazilian Cosmo Alexandre in the opening round.
He had surgery after and had to go through a long recuperation. Sage Northcutt attempted to make a comeback in 2021 but his plans were derailed after contracting COVID-19.
During the post-event press conference for ONE Fight Night 10, Chatri Sityodtong described ‘Super Sage’ as one of the true good guys in the game, even likening him to ‘Superman’, and that he was happy to see him back competing.
The ONE executive said:
“When we recruited Sage [Northcutt], the same thing. I felt like he could be the first true global superstar that was like a superhero, like a good, good guy. Like Superman. I could see him blowing up in China, in Japan, etc.”
Catch the full presser below:
For his impressive victory over Mujtaba, Sage Northcutt also earned a $50,000 performance bonus from Sityodtong.
He is now looking to make up for lost time and keep himself busy competing even in non-mixed martial arts matches, including kickboxing and submission grappling.
ONE Fight Night 10 was the promotion’s first-ever live on-ground event in the U.S., which took place in a sold-out crowd at 1stBank Center in Denver, Colorado. Its replay can be watched for free via Amazon Prime in North America.
