Critical of Sage Northcutt's UFC pay? 'I bring something different to the table'

Fellow fighters weren’t happy when it was revealed Sage Northcutt earned $80,000 for his December victory over Cody Pfister at UFC Fight Night 80. But he said there’s a reason for it.

Northcutt’s (6-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) second-round submission win over Pfister (12-4-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at the Las Vegas event marked just his second UFC appearance. Although disclosed salaries don’t always represent the entirety of a fighter’s earnings, Northcutt’s deal of $40,000 to show and $40,000 to win is unusually high for a fighter so young in his UFC career.

Matt Mitrione, a veteran of 15 UFC heavyweight fights, called Northcutt’s pay “ridiculous.”. Free agent bantamweight Aljamain Sterling said the information would be used as a bargaining tool in contract negotiations.

Northcutt said he’s aware of the hostility over his pay. However, he won’t apologize for it. MMA is an individual sport in which each athlete and his respective management team should do everything possible to earn the greatest amount possible, he said. He also said he’s all about his fellow competitors making more, as well.

“I want everyone in the UFC to make as much money as they can,” Northcutt told MMAjunkie. “Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, the money they are making, they are setting the bar for us. The better everyone can make, the better for all of us too. Everyone in the UFC should want to make as much money as they can. I want the best and the most money everyone can make in the UFC.”

Although Northcutt would like to see MMA payouts go up, he also said he knows promoters don’t exist to provide handouts. He said every fighter should bring something unique to the table, and with Northcutt’s undefeated record, exciting fighting style and polarizing personality, he said he fits that description.

“I think and I believe that I bring something different to the table – something that makes people want to tune in and watch,” Northcutt said. “(Fighters need to bring) something that’s of value to the UFC. I think that’s really important with the UFC, and people can see that with me.”

If Northcutt continues to win, his pay will likely continue to increase. The 19-year-old is set to compete in his third UFC bout in less than four months when he takes on Bryan Barberena (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on FOX 18. Northcutt typically competes at lightweight but will move up to welterweight for the contest, which opens the FOX-televised main card following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass at Newark, N.J.’s Prudential Center.

Northcutt said being in the main-card opener should be a testament to how the UFC views him. Now it’s his responsibility to enter the octagon and live up to his end of the bargain.

“I believe the UFC sees that I bring something of value to the (promotion),” Northcutt said. “It’s a huge opportunity and honor to fight on the main card on FOX. I’m just very thankful for that. I’m always happy to put on a show for the fans.”

For more on UFC on FOX 18, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.