Sage Northcutt is already generating the kind of press reserved for headliners and champions, but he thinks of himself primarily as a martial artist who likes to put on a show.
In his show, however, the flash takes place inside the cage, not necessarily outside of it.
Northcutt (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) said his idols, from retired welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre to current middleweight champ Chris Weidman, reflect his martial-arts spirit.
“How (Weidman) carries himself, he’s just awesome,” the up-and-comer UFC lightweight told MMAjunkie Radio.
But there are others whom Northcutt looks at with admiration.
“Besides Chris, I guess for the girls, everything Ronda Rousey’s done is amazing,” he said.
It’s no wonder Rousey factors into the conversation, mainly because like Northcutt, it’s hard to avoid her these days. The UFC women’s bantamweight champ not only rules over her division, but is the pound-for-pound champ in press coverage. Every step of her career is documented, from a spot on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” to her latest relationship gossip.

Rousey, of course, carved out the role for herself over the past two years with dominant performances, but also with a taste and talent for controversy. She isn’t afraid to play the role of provocateur outside the cage. And that’s perhaps where Northcutt said he and “Rowdy” differ.
While Northcutt didn’t point to anything in particular about Rousey’s persona, he made it clear they don’t necessarily have the same PR strategy.
“I know the way she carries herself is slightly different than the way I would carry myself, but she’s incredible in everything she’s accomplished,” he said. “It’s amazing for a girl, and she’s done some awesome things.”
Northcutt’s 19-year-old-made-good story is one that’s just at its beginning, of course. He’s made headlines as a good-looking, youthful college student given a shot at the big time by UFC President Dana White, and right now, the possibilities are endless.

Reality, however, will eventually reveal itself in the cage. Northcutt’s UFC debut came against Francisco Trevino, a veteran with a 1-1 octagon record who was coming off a loss. Opposition is guaranteed to get tougher by the fight.
Northcutt’s job, of course, is to keep apace with challenges in the UFC. But it might not hurt to stir the pot every once and a while, either. Whether he’ll ultimately embrace that role is anyone’s guess.
For now, he’s following the fighters who play the hero.
For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

NOTE:
http://mmajunkie.com/2015/10/sage-northcutt-i-respect-ufc-champ-ronda-rousey-though-id-carry-myself-differently

Sage Northcutt: I respect UFC champ Ronda Rousey, but I'd carry myself differently


Sage Northcutt is already generating the kind of press reserved for headliners and champions, but he thinks of himself primarily as a martial artist who likes to put on a show.
In his show, however, the flash takes place inside the cage, not necessarily outside of it.
Northcutt (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) said his idols, from retired welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre to current middleweight champ Chris Weidman, reflect his martial-arts spirit.
“How (Weidman) carries himself, he’s just awesome,” the up-and-comer UFC lightweight told MMAjunkie Radio.
But there are others whom Northcutt looks at with admiration.
“Besides Chris, I guess for the girls, everything Ronda Rousey’s done is amazing,” he said.
It’s no wonder Rousey factors into the conversation, mainly because like Northcutt, it’s hard to avoid her these days. The UFC women’s bantamweight champ not only rules over her division, but is the pound-for-pound champ in press coverage. Every step of her career is documented, from a spot on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” to her latest relationship gossip.

Rousey, of course, carved out the role for herself over the past two years with dominant performances, but also with a taste and talent for controversy. She isn’t afraid to play the role of provocateur outside the cage. And that’s perhaps where Northcutt said he and “Rowdy” differ.
While Northcutt didn’t point to anything in particular about Rousey’s persona, he made it clear they don’t necessarily have the same PR strategy.
“I know the way she carries herself is slightly different than the way I would carry myself, but she’s incredible in everything she’s accomplished,” he said. “It’s amazing for a girl, and she’s done some awesome things.”
Northcutt’s 19-year-old-made-good story is one that’s just at its beginning, of course. He’s made headlines as a good-looking, youthful college student given a shot at the big time by UFC President Dana White, and right now, the possibilities are endless.

Reality, however, will eventually reveal itself in the cage. Northcutt’s UFC debut came against Francisco Trevino, a veteran with a 1-1 octagon record who was coming off a loss. Opposition is guaranteed to get tougher by the fight.
Northcutt’s job, of course, is to keep apace with challenges in the UFC. But it might not hurt to stir the pot every once and a while, either. Whether he’ll ultimately embrace that role is anyone’s guess.
For now, he’s following the fighters who play the hero.
For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

NOTE:
http://mmajunkie.com/2015/10/sage-northcutt-i-respect-ufc-champ-ronda-rousey-though-id-carry-myself-differently