“I’m Happy to Fight Any Big Names” – Halil Amir Picks Sage Northcutt as Next Target in Inching Closer Towards Christian Lee’s World Title

Fouth-ranked lightweight MMA contender Halil Amir continued his winning ways in ONE Championship this past Friday evening, and he is now calling his shot against the biggest names in the division. The unbeaten Turk took home his third straight win in the promotion by scoring a first-round TKO win against Pakistan’s Ahmed Mujtaba at ONE Fight Night 16 inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 4, moving his overall professional slate to 10-0 in the process.

Amir cemented himself as an undeniable threat in the stacked lightweight MMA ranks with the victory, and he has World Title aspirations in mind. That said, the 29-year-old star understands it may take some time for reigning king Christian Lee to return to action after the death of his sister, Victoria, in December, and he only wishes him well.

Halil Amir revealed his next preferred rival even though he was ready for anyone

There’s no shortage of talent in his bracket, however, and Amir is eyeing up the brightest and best to face while he waits for his shot at gold. “I send my warmest regards to Christian Lee. Hopefully, he feels better,” he told SCMP MMA in a post-fight interview. “My focus is obviously the title, but I don’t want an interim shot. That said, I’m happy to fight any big names. I want Sage [Northcutt]. That’s the fight I want no matter the time.”

“Super” recently returned to ONE following an extended layoff due to injury and submitted Mujtaba within the first minute of his comeback fight at ONE Fight Night 10 this past May to earn his first win in the world’s largest martial arts organization and remind everyone just how dangerous he is.

READ MORE – 3 Questions That Will Be Answered At ONE Fight Night 16

Northcutt may not be in the World Title picture yet, but he certainly has the star power to boost any fighter’s stock to incredible heights. But in calling out the American, Amir may stand to lose more than he could gain. After all, he has an undefeated record to protect, and the karate prodigy is no slouch.

Halil Amir will have no problems even if he gets a direct title shot

However, the Turkish powerhouse is willing to take the chance, as it’s either a fight with Northcutt or a World Title clash he wants – nothing else will do. “I can fight with Sage Northcutt, doesn’t matter [when]. One month or after two months, I’m ready,” Amir said.

“There’s no other fights left for me. He’s the only fight that I want. The only other talk or discussion should be a title fight at this point.”