Undefeated rising star ‘Super’ Sage Northcutt tapped out to Bryan Barberena in a stunning upset at UFC on Fox 18 on Saturday.
But at least now it will allow the hype surrounding the talented, but inexperienced 19-year-old to die down.
While many will view the defeat in the second round as a complete derailment of Northcutt’s hype train, it could yet turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
The American fought for the third time in four months – his last coming in December.
And it did not go well as he tapped to a triangle arm choke not even fully locked in. He became only the fifth UFC fighter ever to be submitted from the half-guard and quite simply, he gave in super quick.
“I knew it was a matter of time before he was going to tap,” Barberena said.
While that may be the case, a more accomplished fighter would have been able to escape and it proves that too much was coming his way too soon.
Northcutt didn’t take time off to improve, rest, or do much of anything other than jump right back into training camp.
Instead, he continued to balance a sudden UFC career with college, and rushed into a fight at a higher weight against an opponent he admitted to not knowing anything about, just weeks after his previous victory over Cody Pfister.
And it showed. Barberena weathered Northcutt’s right hands, despite a cut above his eye, in the first round and the teenager gassed out. By the second he was exhausted.
He threw a right hand and fell, allowing Barberena to jump on him and land elbows. Without even passing guard he tied Northcutt up and got the tap.
But this is not the end and with time and the right coaching, Northcutt can still yet prove he is more than just potential.
