Shortly after he spoiled the MMA debut of pro wrestling star CM Punk earlier this year, Mickey Gall took the opportunity to call out fellow prospect Sage Northcutt. Not long after this callout was issued, it was announced that Gall would get his wish, as he and Northcutt were pencilled in as the co-main event of UFC on Fox 22.
On Saturday night, after months of trash talk, Gall and Northcutt’s UFC on Fox 22 showdown finally occurred. Though Northcutt entered the fight with 3 times the professional experience of his foe, he wound up being submitted in the second round, when Gall was able to lock up a rear-naked choke for the win.
Submission losses are unfortunately becoming a common theme in the career of Northcutt. It was just shy a year ago, after all, that the prospect was submitted by an opportunistic Bryan Barberena. Yes, while his talent is irrefutable, he certainly appears to be running on a bit of a deficit in the grappling department.
Michael Chiesa would like to change that. Currently the lightweight division’s eighth-ranked fighter, Chiesa took to Twitter to offer to train Northcutt in MMA grappling. All he asks in return is that Northcutt covers the costs of his flight and expenses.
@sagenorthcutt Your next fight, I will come train your MMA grappling. Just pay for my flight and expenses. DM me and keep your head up bro.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) December 18, 2016
This could be an excellent move for Northcutt. Having earned 10 of his 14 victories with submissions, and tapped dangerous competition like Jim Miller and Beneil Dariush, Chiesa is undoubtedly one of the finest grappler’s in the lightweight division. He could surely teach Northcutt a great deal about the ins and outs of MMA grappling. The chances of this partnership actually happening, of course, seem fairly slim.
Chiesa is currently on a three fight streak, having defeated Mitch Clarke, Miller and Dariush in his three most recent bouts. It is not known who he’ll take on next.
Do you think Northcutt should accept this offer from Chiesa? Sound off, PENN Nation!