Nineteen-year-old Sage Northcutt (6-0) had a storybook UFC debut with his 57-second TKO win over Francisco Trevino at UFC 192 earlier this month. Before that he was featured on Dana White’s new Fight Pass reality show, “Looking for a Fight” where the UFC President personally scouts out new talent.
But not everyone is impressed with good looking new kid on the block, including fellow UFC lightweight Kevin Lee who called into MMAJunkie Radio Monday following an interview with Northcutt to voice his opinion and call out the young star.
“If Sage wants to fight, I think Sage shuts down after the first round,” Lee stated. “I think as soon I get in there, hit him a couple of times, he shuts down. I don’t think this kid has ever been through anything.”
“I think a lot of other fighters feel that. They won’t say sh-t, but I will. We can settle it right now. I hope he’s listening in so he can hear me – he can hear what I’m saying about him. I’m going to call (UFC matchmaker) Joe (Silva) as soon as I get off the phone with you guys. We can do it at 194.
“(UFC) 194, here in Vegas, biggest fight card of the year. He’ll live the shortest career that the UFC has known.
“I just know he’s a rich, privileged white boy, and as soon as he gets in there and gets hit and sees some adversity thrown into his face, I think he’s going to crumble. I think I’m a better striker than him. I damn sure know I’m a better wrestler than him, so I think I can beat him everywhere.”
Lee was unapologetic about his “rich white boy” statements to followers on Twitter who called him out.
Racist how? Because I said he was a rich white boy? That's what he is. Is he not https://t.co/7smVwS9b26
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) October 12, 2015
Lee (11-1) already has an opponent for UFC 194 though as he will be facing TUF Brazil 2 winner Leo Santos (14-3-1) on the Dec. 22 card in Las Vegas. So first things first for the 23-year-old Detroit native. Lee is a former NCAA Divison II wrestler and has won four straight since dropping a decision to Al Iaquinta in his 2014 Octagon debut.
It has to be hard for someone like Lee who has been fighting and winning to see a new guy like Northcutt come in and get that “Conor McGregor treatment” where the organization is clearly pushing him. But let’s face it, not everyone is a star. Not every champion is even a star. There’s something more to it. Sage Northcutt clearly has that and the UFC sees it and is helping it to flourish. You can’t blame them for that. But if Lee can steal some of that shine with a win over the blonde Taekwondo stylist, then by all means, that is what the Octagon is for.
Check out Sage Nothcutt UFC 192 highlights and post-fight interview:
WHAT A STUPID NIGGER. RACIST? THAT IS WHAT HE IS. IS HE NOT?