The fightersโ payout from their fights holds great value for them. As such, they put their body on the line just to provide for their family. Recently, former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling revealed how Dana Whiteโs UFC used to be partial to a few fighters while handing out payouts. Interestingly, a young debutant, Sage Northcutt, made more than Sterling back in 2015.
Dana Whiteโs UFC has been one of the top promotions in the world of MMA for over a decade now. With that reputation, everyone expects them to be just for their fighters and treat them equally. However, back in the early days, it was not so. In a recent episode of Verse Us with Eric Nicknick, Aljamain Sterling exposed overpaying some fighters more than their worth.
We were renegotiating and I think maybe that kind of ruffled some feathers little bit since back then that was in like 2015… And that’s when Sage Northcutt was like the next big thing but he just got signed… The money I was offered was half of his.
Aljamain Sterling via Verse Us with Eric Nicksick
Back then, Aljamain Sterling was on a 4-win streak before renewing his contract. Even though he was on a good winning run, he made only around $8,000 for his matches. On the other hand, Sage Northcutt had a hefty salary of $80,000 (+ $80,000 to win) on their promotional debut. Aljo, knowing all this, couldnโt keep it to himself and revealed how thereโs a partiality for some fighters in Whiteโs company.
Sage Northcutt was somehow one of the popular fighters back in 2015. The payout he got in his promotion debut might be one of the reasons for that. Interestingly, Northcuttโs debut salary was more than some superstars made in their UFC debut. Current bantamweight champion Sean OโMalley, being one of the most exciting strikers, was on a $22,000 (+$22,000 to win) contract.
Not only that, even Irelandโs finest fighter, Conor McGregor, made a less than the popular Sage Northcutt on his debut. McGregor debuted on $8,000 (+$8,000) compared to Northcuttโs $40,000 contract. This leaves everyone wondering about the relationship that the UFC head honcho and the 28-year-old had back in the day. Interestingly, he was shockingly released from the promotion in 2018.
Why did Dana White let go of an exciting prospect like Sage Northcutt?
Sage Northcutt made his UFC debut back in 2015 when he was just 19 years of age. He was one of the youngest fighters in the promotion back in the day. Northcuttโs debut win at the promotion caused quite a stir in the community. As such, even Dana White came in to appreciate his vicious knockout win.
Not only that, he was also one of the hyped fighters in the promotion. Even after such an exquisite start at the promotion, he could not last long there. In 2018, Dana White was unhappy with how Sage Northcutt handled his fights. Per the UFC boss, he lacked the maturity to make a big name for himself.
We let Sage (Northcutt) go. Sage is young and Sage needs some work in one of these other organizations and we’ll see where this kid ends up in a couple of years and maybe we’ll pick him back up again.
Dana White via UFC unfiltered podcast on Sage Northcuttโs release
Following that, Northcutt signed for the ONE Championship. However, he failed miserably in his debut fight as Cosmo Alexandre knocked him out viciously. Interestingly, he has been quite inactive these days. As of now, Northcutt is 28 years old, and it remains to be seen if he will again rise back up to the hype.