An interesting clash of styles awaits American fans mid-way through the “ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III” on Prime Video card this Friday, May 5.
Returning star Sage Northcutt (11-3) faces off with dangerous Pakistani practitioner Ahmed Mujtaba (10-2) in a lightweight MMA bout that is sure to leave its mark at ONE Championship’s historic U.S. debut show.
Both men have it all to fight for in front of the sold-out crowd inside Denver, Colorado’s 1STBANK Center, and here is what each of them will be leaning on to score a crucial win on the night.
1. Sage’s speed
Northcutt is as explosive as any martial artist on the planet.
No doubt “Super” has an impressive physique, but it’s the speed at which he moves that really sets him apart.
With a lifetime of training in karate and a punishing conditioning regime, the American’s ability to blitz forward will cause problems for his opponent when they meet.
Mujtaba will have to be careful when engaging with Northcutt on the feet, as his speed allows him to beat most fighters he comes up against to the punch.
2. Mujtaba’s submissions are legit
With five submission wins from his 10 professional victories, tapout is clearly a favored route to victory for Mujtaba.
The submission prowess of “Wolverine” was on full show in his most recent outing, when he shocked third-degree Brazilain jiu-jitsu black belt Abraao Amorim with a show stopping triangle choke at ONE 163 last November.
The BJJ brown belt’s formidable submission arsenal is likely his biggest advantage when weighed against the skills of Northcutt.
But Mujtaba also has fire in his fists, and combining that with his grappling prowess will allow him to fight with a degree of freedom.
3. Northcutt’s unorthodox striking
Northcutt is one of a select few MMA athletes that brings a karate style to the ONE circle.
He’s a multiple-time world champion in the sport and has been honing his craft in the ancient discipline since the age of four.
But that’s not all. “Super also sports a 15-0 record in kickboxing.
With an unorthodox stance and an impressive arsenal at his disposal, Northcutt will be able to keep Mujtaba guessing.
The 27-year-old’s refined kicking game may also allow him to control distance and stave off Mujtaba as he presses forward in search of power shots or takedowns.
4. Mujtaba’s activity
Mujtaba will likely be the sharper fighter in the early going of his battle with Northcutt, as the latter hasn’t competed in almost four years.
The concept of “ring rust is often debated in combat sports circles, and the American star will undoubtedly need time to settle in to his first fight since the crushing knockout loss he suffered against Cosmo Alexandre in 2019.
While Mujtaba hasn’t seen a ton of action in recent years, his last contest was just six months ago. And the Pakistani will carry a certain confidence into the bout on May 5, given that he’s scored back-to-back first-round finishes in his two most recent fights.
If he can impose himself on Northcutt as he settles in, it could well be three-from-three for the surging lightweight contender.
