?That?s A Big Fight? ? Sage Northcutt Laser-Focused On A Matchup With Shinya Aoki

Sage Northcutt isn?t one to leave things in the realm of the ?what if?. Especially if he can do something about it. Having returned to ONE Championship in spectacular fashion this past May, the American fighter is now looking to face Shinya Aoki in a lightweight MMA fight that was previously in the works in the promotion.?

?Super? and Aoki traded jabs on social media in 2021, but the former still wasn?t ready for action due to a devastating injury he suffered in his debut in 2019. He would have to wait another two years for his comeback fight against Ahmed Mujtaba at ONE Fight Night 10.?

Sage Northcutt has been brilliant so far

Northcutt plowed through Mujtaba in under a minute that evening, much to the delight of the U.S. crowd at ONE?s first-ever show on North American soil, and he has repeatedly expressed interest in facing “Tobikan Judan” since.? ?I think that fight [with Aoki] is one a lot of fans want to see. A top grappler and former World Champion versus a striker. And I?ve worked on my grappling a ton, so it?s going to be super exciting,? he said and he was right too.?

?I had quite a few years off, and I came back in my last fight, won by submission in the first round, and now I?m going to be possibly fighting Shinya. He?s one of the top guys in the division. He was one of the longest-reigning World Champions for ONE Championship.

“That?s a big one. I?m obviously going out there to try to win and finish my opponent. So I guess we?ll see after the fight.? The Japanese legend has struggled to find form over the past couple of years, but he continues to compete in both MMA and submission grappling competitions.

He remains one of the most feared competitors at lightweight because of his reputation for never backing down from a challenge. Northcutt believes that the Evolve MMA representative is still a formidable foe, and he wants to make a statement by beating a globally revered fighter like Aoki.??

Northcutt has his priorities set

?It?s cool. People call other people out, but I got my focus on one fight at a time. So right now, I?m focused on fighting Shinya,? he said. ?He?s the former champion. He?s nobody to look over. That?s a big fight. I?m excited for that one. Hopefully, we get that here soon. ?Having your focus on what?s in front of you is the most important thing.?

Also Read:??I Have the Right People Helping Me? ? Mikey Musumeci Planning on Training Muay Thai With Rodtang to Prepare for Potential MMA Debut

The American fighter has put up great performances one after the other. But Aoki could be his greatest foe yet. Will he be able to conquer him as well? ONE Fight Nights are some of the most exciting PPV events around the battle sports world. Northcutt going up against Aoki would bring in many views and a lot of cash. Would you be willing to watch it?

Also Read:?3 Reasons Why Mikey Musumeci Might Be The World?s Most Exciting Grappler