Sage Northcutt's free agency didn't last very long.
Just mere days after UFC President Dana White has announced that the 22-year old Northcutt was being let go by the UFC and entering a free agency period, ONE Championship announced that they'd signed the star.
Chatri Sityodtong revealed the news on Twitter, which Sage Northcutt responded to.
Please join me in giving a big welcome to multiple-time karate world champion, Black Belt Hall of Famer, and rising global mixed martial arts superstar Sage Northcutt to ONE Championship! @sagenorthcutt
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) November 30, 2018
It’s an honor to be a part of the One Championship family! I’m looking forward to being a part of something great ----
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) November 30, 2018
Northcutt was signed to the UFC in 2015 after an impressive performance on the Dana White's Lookin' For A Fight series. He would jump back and forth between lightweight and welterweight on his was to a 6-2 record in the company. He was actually riding his most successful run in the UFC with a 3 fight winning streak.
“We let Sage go,” White said on the “UFC Unfiltered” podcast. “Sage is young, and Sage needs some work. Let him get some work in some other organizations, and we will see where this kid ends up in a couple of years. Maybe we will pick him back up again down the road."
Many have pointed to Northcutt's salary as a reason the UFC was willing to part with him. Northcutt made $120,000 excluding Reebok payouts for his November 2017 win at UFC Norfolk. That number has only increased with two subsequent wins, which would put him at over $360,000+ at least for three wins outside of the top-15.
