The UFC recently let Sage Northcutt go, a decision that surprised many fans. Northcutt is a comedically wholesome karateka, a bricked-up youngster who fell through a reality warp from a 1990s martial arts flick into the modern world. He is in important ways both distinct and recognizable.
The WME-IMG organization picked him up when he was just 19, seeing that there was both star potential and room to grow; paying him more than most prospects, or even established fighters. Now, when he finally seemed to be finding his footing as a potential elite talent... and the UFC released him, allowing him to sign with ONE Championship in Singapore.