Sage Northcutt, once touted as the UFC`s next big star, has made a dramatic career change two years after his last mixed martial arts fight.
The 29-year-old began his MMA journey with five consecutive victories, catching Dana White`s attention and leading to a UFC contract. “Super” quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his striking looks, charismatic personality, and exciting fighting style.
However, Northcutt`s career took a downturn after he left the UFC, despite an impressive 6-2 record in the Octagon.
Sage Northcutt`s Unexpected Career Shift
Northcutt signed with ONE Championship and debuted for the promotion in May 2019. His debut, however, ended disastrously when Cosmo Alexandre brutally knocked him out in under 30 seconds at ONE: Enter the Dragon.
This crushing defeat led to a four-year hiatus from MMA for Northcutt before his return in May 2023. At ONE Fight Night 10, Northcutt secured a quick submission victory in 39 seconds, marking his long-awaited comeback.
Nevertheless, more than two years later, he hasn`t fought and appears to have lost interest in continuing his MMA career.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Northcutt has accepted a new position as a real estate agent.
It currently remains unclear whether this marks the official end of his MMA career or if he plans to fight again in 2026.
Al Iaquinta: Another Fighter`s Transition to Real Estate
Sage Northcutt is not the first MMA fighter to transition into the real estate sector.
Al Iaquinta famously sold houses for a significant portion of his UFC tenure, during which he faced prominent fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jorge Masvidal, Dan Hooker, Donald `Cowboy` Cerrone, and many others.
“Raging” recently dismissed rumors of an MMA comeback, having fully dedicated himself to his real estate career.
“I`m so busy in real estate and doing so well,” Iaquinta told Bloody Elbow`s Chris De Santiago.
“I`ve got such a great team there with the Serra-Longo guys. I go into the gym, I help out a little bit, I train, keep my juices flowing, keep my sanity in the gym…”
“But then I`ve got the other side, the business side, which is just growing leaps and bounds every day.
“Being able to dedicate myself to the real estate, the way I was dedicated to fighting—there`s not a broker [or] agent on Long Island or in the country that could hang with me. I really, truly believe that.”
Neville Whittle