Young Blood: Sage Northcutt & The Best UFC Prospects Entering 2016

Prospects come and go in the UFC, especially when thrust into the limelight.

Due in part to an underdeveloped arsenal of skill and athleticism, these young up-and-comers are simply unable to hang with established veterans.

But on some occasions, and it’s truly far and few between, their natural abilities takeover to the effect of a highly-impressive ascend up the proverbial ladder. Whether given the right opponents or a tendency to fight beyond their years, some prospects take their division by storm.

Entering 2016, the UFC has a core group of adolescent contenders capable of making noise on the big stage.

Here they are.

Brian Ortega

The 24-year-old Ortega is already a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Rorian Gracie, giving him one of the best ground games a kid his age could ever wish for.

Supplemented with heavy hands, a proven chin, and the ability to finish, “T-City” has become quite the prospect in the UFC’s stacked featherweight division on the heels of a 9-0 (1) professional record.

After fighting to a no contest opposite Mike de la Torre at UFC on FOX 12 in his promotional debut, Ortega ransacked an ultra-tough Thiago Tavares at UFC Fight Night 68 via third-round TKO. The victory was his first in the Octagon and warranted a Fight of the Night bonus.

Currently scheduled to battle gatekeeper Diego Brandao at UFC 195 in January, Ortega has the opportunity to prove he deserves top 15 competition in a division brewing with talent.

Cody Garbrandt

Some people might recognize Garbrandt from his recent quarrel with Conor McGregor on the set of The Ultimate Fighter. Others may know him as an undefeated madman hailing from California’s Team Alpha Male.

Either way, the 24-year-old power wrestler is about to take the UFC bantamweight division by storm. Due in part to his willingness to brawl and exchange in close quarters, Garbrandt is truly a fan favorite in the making.

Currently sporting an unscathed professional record of 7-0 (2-0 UFC), “No Love” possesses the athleticism, knockout power, killer instinct, and ideal training camp to fully cash in on his budding potential in 2016.

He may not work his way up the roster to challenge for a title over the next 12 months, but he should do enough to abruptly enter the top 10 in a division aching for new blood.

Doo Ho Choi

It’s often difficult for Asian-based fighters to catch on in America, let alone a fighter competing in a smaller weight class.

But for Doo Ho Choi, better known as “The Korean Superboy,” his talents and monstrous arrival to the UFC should enable him to find fans wherever he may go.

Choi’s first two UFC appearances, most notably his recent first-round finish of a game Sam Sicilia, have lasted a grand total of 111 seconds. That’s Ronda Rousey-esque.

The 24-year-old featherweight is only getting better as he transitions to the big stage, offering world-class striking and knockout ability in an expansive weight class.

Sage Northcutt

The rise of “Super” Sage Northcutt has been infectious to say the least.

At just 19 years of age, the kid from Katy, Texas has already been pegged as the UFC’s next golden boy. Much like the promotion did with Conor McGregor, Northcutt is presumably going to get special treatment moving forward.

That’s not a knock on the UFC considering the lightweight possesses spectacular talent, but it may end up burdening the teenager with too many responsibilities.

But in the grand scheme of it all, Northcutt’s in-cage abilities should ultimately allow him to flourish in 2016. The UFC just might want to take its time with him if he’s able to debunk Cody Pfister at UFC Fight Night 80 on Dec. 10.

Mirsad Bektic

Undefeated Bektic may be the UFC’s best kept secret.

Hailing from a rough childhood in Bosnia, the 24-year-old has found a home as a member of American Top Team, which has transformed him into one of the very best wrestlers in the featherweight division.

Mix in Bektic’s power, athleticism, determination, and endless gas tank, and you have one of the best prospects in the UFC today.

While he hasn’t faced many top-level names in the division throughout his three-fight UFC career, Bektic’s promotional debut opposite Chas Skelly at UFC on FOX 11 looks even more impressive considering Skelly has won four in a row since then.

If 2016 proves to be a healthy year for Bektic, there’s no telling how far his strong ground game and evolving standup can take him.