Hype train derails as Sage Northcutt is quickly defeated (Video)

First loss

Darragh Murphy

Hype train derails as Sage Northcutt is quickly defeated (Video)

Ronda Rousey, check. Paige VanZant, check. Sage Northcutt, check.

Conor McGregor, watch out. The UFC hype train is tumbling like you wouldn’t believe.

Northcutt, the 19-year-old prospect who many were hailing as a future UFC champion, suffered his first professional loss on Saturday night.

The karate specialist was a 2/5 favourite according to most bookmakers for his first promotional bout at welterweight.

‘Super’ Sage was forced to accept a fight at 170 lbs for the main card opener after original lightweight opponent Andrew Holbrook withdrew from the bout.

And Bryan Barberena welcomed Northcutt to welterweight in some style with a rather bizarre finish at UFC New Jersey.

The previously undefeated Northcutt had claimed the first round but came unstuck in the second after Barberena ended up on top in a scramble.

Wow! “@sagenorthcutt taps!” @bryan_barberena goes for an arm triangle – and he has it! ? #UFCNewJersey https://t.co/BzcZuQsgQ8

— #UFCNewJersey (@btsportufc) January 31, 2016

Limiting Barberena from half guard, Northcutt appeared to be relatively safe when the MMA Lab fighter looked for an arm triangle.

Just when everyone expected Barberena to press down on Northcutt’s left leg and move to mount or side mount, Northcutt unexpectedly tapped under what appeared to be very little pressure.

Typically, arm triangles are finished when the attacking fighter’s hips are pressed tight to the mat on the same side of his opponent’s body as the submission is locked in – as that’s when the choke can be tightest.

While it will come as a learning curve for Northcutt in terms of his grappling prowess, some fighters weren’t so kind to Northcutt.

https://twitter.com/BrianStann/status/693606208394149889

Omg he tap ??? And it was not tight enough. It wasn't the right side

— Roan Jucao (@jucao) January 31, 2016

I love Sage and he has a huge future but that wasn't a choke. I call that giving up sorry kids #UFConFOX18

— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) January 31, 2016