Dana White Predicts Three Fighters Will Be Superstars
UFC President Dana White said during an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” last week that Paige VanZant, Rose Namajunas, and Sage Northcutt are all future UFC stars.
“Paige VanZant vs. Rose Namajunas – two huge up-and-coming stars that are going to battle this early in their career. One of them is going to go on.”
VanZant (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) and Namajunas (3-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will fight each other on Thursday at UFC Fight Night 80.
Namajunas (3-2) is currently on a one-fight winning streak. In her last five bouts, she beat Emily Kagan in January of 2013 by third-round RNC and then a flying arm in just 12 seconds of the first-round against Kathina Catron in April of 2013. She then dropped a two-fight losing streak against Tecia Torres in July of 2013 by unanimous decision and then in her UFC debut against Cala Esparas at TUF 20 by third-round RNC. She beat Angela Hill at UFC 192 by first round rear-naked choke to pick up her first UFC win.
VanZant (6-1) is currently on a four-fight winning streak. In her last five bouts, she lost to Erica Torres in January of 2013 by unanimous decision but rebounded with a win over Courtney Himes in April of 2013 by first round rear-naked-choke. In her next/latest bout, she beat Kailin Curran by third round TKO in November of 2014 at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson. She beat Felice Herrig at UFC on Fox 15 by decision. She beat Alex Chambers by third-round armbar at UFC 191.
When asked about Northcutt, he believes that Northcutt is an incredible talent.
“Another kid on that card – his name is Sage Northcutt. Sage Northcutt is a kid I just found – we started a new show called ‘Dana White: Looking for a Fight.’ That’s where I found Sage Northcutt, and the kid exploded off the show. He’s an incredible talent. Check him out.”
Northcutt (6-0) is an undefeated fighter. In his last five bouts, he beat Jacob Capelli at LFC 1 by first round TKO, James Christopherson at FF 6 by first round TKO, Gage Duhon at LFC 42 by first round rear-naked choke, Rocky Long at LFC 44 by second round neck crank, and then beat Francisco Trevino at UFC 192 by first round TKO in his UFC debut.
Northcutt (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will be fighting Cody Pfister on the same card.
