Newark, New Jersey. It was supposed to be just another fight on the journey to MMA fighter Sage Northcutt becoming the UFC’s Golden Boy. The cut and lean figure of Northcutt jumped into the ring at the Prudential Center on Saturday, a bundle of energy. He’d stepped up to Welterweight to take on the relatively unheard-of fighter, Bryan Barberena. The crowd expected it to be straightforward for the confident youngster. But they were in for a surprise…
The first round came and went, with some heavy blows landed by both men. But it was Sage Northcutt who edged it. No knockout blow, so if went to points, the bleach blonde kid looked favorite.
The second round saw some more exchanges, but then – Barberena got Northcutt on the floor. And before the crowd could get their breath – he’d tapped out. The honeymoon is over. Here’s what happened:
