Ahmed Mujtaba is planning to spoil Sage Northcutt‘s party at “ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III” on Prime Video.
Mujtaba will face the returning American star at ONE Championship’s U.S. debut event, which is set for the sold-out 1STBANK Center in Colorado on Friday, May 5.
The Pakistani lightweight is looking to extend his current two-fight hot streak, which was punctuated by his most recent performance.
At ONE 163 in November, “Wolverine” pulled off a shocker when he submitted Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Abraao Amorim. His achievement was not lost on the MMA community back in Pakistan, who lauded their homegrown hero for his thrilling victory.
“The reception in Pakistan was great,” he said. “People were quite amazed, and being from Pakistan, it was a big thing for us. Submitting a two-time IBJJF champion and a 3rd or 4th degree belt in jiu-jitsu, it was a big moment for the MMA community in Pakistan.
“The fans really loved it. It was one of the most beautiful triangles that ever happened in the history of martial arts and in ONE Championship.”
The upset win over Amorim followed a crushing, one-punch knockout victory over Rahul Raju at “ONE: Unbreakable III” in February 2021.
Armed with the confidence that comes from two show-stopping finishes, both in the first round, the 30-year-old feels that a win over Northcutt (11-3) could net him a shot at the ONE lightweight world title – a prize that Mujtaba (10-2) firmly believes he is destined to achieve to one day.
“As I’ve said before, and as I have shown in the cage, I’ve got so many skills. I just need time to deliver them, and I think my time is coming,” he said.
“I mean, soon, I will be ONE Championship’s lightweight world champion. I believe that, and I will achieve it.”
Before he can think too much about title shots, Mujtaba must head to enemy territory next month to face “Super Sage” who will be desperate to make a triumphant return to the ONE circle after a four-year layoff.
The American Kickboxing Academy representative is respectful of what Northcutt brings to the table, but he is also confident that he can exploit some of the holes in his rival’s game.
“He is good, he is a karate guy, his kicks are good,” he said. “He’s fast, he’s quite explosive. He has been fighting in the UFC before, and now he’s fighting for ONE Championship, so this guy has good experience.
“But, of course, everyone has their own weaknesses, and I’m working on his weaknesses.”
With the hopes of the Pakistani MMA fans firmly on his shoulders, Mujtaba feels primed to deliver another unforgettable performance at what could be the biggest and most viewed event in ONE history.
“Wolverine” has shown that he has the skills to finish fights from anywhere. But in a perfect world, he has one outcome in his mind when he visualizes the clash with Nortchutt.
“I would love to knock this guy out because I love knockouts,” he said. “But you never know what happens in the game. It’s just a game of seconds like my previous fight (against Amorim). The triangle was within seconds.
“You never know where the game is going. Inshallah on fifth of May, I’m going to smash this guy.”
