While Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight youngster Sage Northcutt is one of the more talented prospects to come through the promotion in a long time, the 20-year-old kid has a lot of work to do if he ever wants to contend for a title. After beginning his UFC career with two-straight wins, “Super” has turned in a 1-2 record in 2016, most recently losing to Mickey Gall at UFC on FOX 22 earlier this month via second-round submission. It was the second time Northcutt has been forced to tap this year and proof that his grappling isn’t on the same level as his Karate-driven striking.
Not to worry. Northcutt has a lot of potential training partners around the mixed martial arts (MMA) community that would jump at the opportunity to roll with one of the fastest growing stars in UFC. After seeing Northcutt struggle on the mat opposite Gall one week ago, current UFC lightweight contender Michael Chiesa wasted little time in reaching out and offering his services.
@sagenorthcutt Your next fight, I will come train your MMA grappling. Just pay for my flight and expenses. DM me and keep your head up bro.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) December 18, 2016
Seems like a fair price to pay to get some pointers from a proven UFC vet. Chiesa, 29, is one of the most promising lightweight contenders on the roster today. He has rolled with some of the best 155-pound fighters in the promotion and has secured back-to-back submission wins over noteworthy grapplers Jim Miller and Beneil Dariush.
If Northcutt wishes to improve his game beyond cool spinning kicks and a sharp hairdo, he may want to take “Maverick” up on his offer, fly him out, feed him and soak up some real MMA knowledge. I’m sure Northcutt can show Chiesa a thing or two on the feet, too.