Sage Northcutt Feels ‘Too Drained’ at 155, Has ‘Way More Energy and Strength’ at Welterweight

Considering that both of his UFC losses had come at 170 pounds, it didn’t seem like the best idea for Sage Northcutt to return to welterweight in the Las Vegas-based promotion.

After all, Northcutt was on a five-bout winning streak at lightweight, including back-to-back triumphs over Thibault Gouti and Michel Quinones in his most recent two Octagon appearances. At UFC Fight Night 133 in Boise, however, “Super” Sage showed that he might have a home at welterweight after all, as he earned a second-round knockout of Zak Ottow in the evening’s co-main event.

“I felt great out there tonight. When I fight at 170, I have way more energy and strength,” Northcutt said. “At 155, I feel too drained because I walk around so lean. I know Zak Ottow is a tough guy. He knocked out Mike Pyle in his last fight. He was definitely bigger than me in the Octagon tonight. But I was able to tire him out because of how much energy and strength I had.”

After nearly getting knocked out in the fight’s initial exchange, Northcutt settled in and went to work. The Team Alpha Male product had a clear advantage on the feet, which he demonstrated by rocking his opponent with punches in the second frame. That prompted Ottow to dive for a takedown, and Northcutt was able to finish the contest from there with a series of hammerfists to the head. Ottow spent much of the fight trying to impose his will through wrestling, and that ultimately proved to be his undoing.

“He had to spend a lot of energy trying to take me down and hold me down but my cardio made it my night,” Northcutt said. “I am proud of my performance and I was happy to get the finish for this amazing crowd in Boise.”

At the moment, it appears that the 22-year-old plans on remaining at welterweight for the foreseeable future. Considering his age, Northcutt has plenty of room for growth, both in the literal and figurative sense.

“At 170, I feel like I’m one of the strongest and fastest guys in this division so I’m going to talk to my team and the UFC and figure out what we should do next,” Northcutt said.