On January 28, at ONE 165, Sage Northcutt will step into the cage for a highly anticipated matchup against the legendary Shinya Aoki. The stage for this lightweight MMA clash is the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, promising an event that has been years in the making.
For Northcutt, this isn’t just another fight; it’s an extraordinary opportunity to test his skills against one of the most revered figures in the sport.
The American phenom acknowledges the significance, stating, “A lot of people know him as a legend in the sport. This is definitely the biggest fight of my career.” He expresses admiration for Aoki’s remarkable career and sees the bout as an honor, acknowledging that Aoki has nothing else to prove.
The matchup between Northcutt and Aoki has been a long time in the making, with both fighters expressing interest in facing each other on multiple occasions.
The anticipation peaked in 2021 before their initial match, which unfortunately had to be postponed due to illness, leaving fans and fighters eager for a future showdown.
Fortunately, the stars have aligned, and the two fighters will finally go head-to-head in ONE Championship’s return to “The Land of the Rising Sun.” The tension between them escalated when they met face-to-face at the ONE 165 press conference late last year.
Aoki’s refusal to shake Northcutt’s hand added an extra layer of intensity to an already highly anticipated encounter.
Despite the mind games leading up to the duel, Northcutt remains focused and determined. He sees the refusal as fuel, stating, “Man, it just pumps me up more to where I want to go train even harder. I’m going to try to hit him super hard out there.
It doesn’t frustrate me at all. It was just interesting.” The stage is set for an epic clash between these two talented fighters, promising a showdown that fans have been eagerly awaiting.
