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After four years with ONE Championship, Sage Northcutt and the promotion agreed to part ways. In a statement released Friday, ONE Championship confirmed the split, offering best wishes to Northcutt without delving into the specifics. Despite the separation, Northcutt has responded with optimism, posting a forward-looking message on social media that hints at exciting plans for 2025.
Northcutt’s journey in MMA has been a rollercoaster, beginning with his rise to fame in the UFC before transitioning to ONE Championship in 2019. However, his time with ONE was turbulent, with just two fights across the four-year stint. His debut in 2019 ended in a loss, and a scheduled bout against Shinya Aoki in 2021 was derailed by complications from COVID-19.
In 2023, Northcutt made a strong comeback, securing an impressive first-round submission victory against Ahmed Mujtaba. His heel hook finish was a reminder of the potential many had seen in him early on. However, further difficulties arose earlier this year when Northcutt was scheduled to face Aoki once again at ONE 165. The fight was abruptly canceled on the day of the event after Northcutt’s cornermen were denied visas, an issue that caused tension between him and the promotion.
Despite these challenges, at just 28 years old, Northcutt’s MMA career is far from over. With a solid 12-3 record, his release from ONE opens new opportunities in the free-agent market. As he looks ahead to 2025, many fans are eager to see where the "Super Sage" lands next.
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