When ONE Championship makes its first appearance on U.S. soil, Sage Northcutt‘s return to action will be one of the many features of the night. However, a surging Pakistani lightweight is ready to ruin the surprise. Ahmed Mujtaba hopes to make it three straight wins and enter the title picture at ONE Fight Night 10 on Prime Video.
On May 5, the two talented martial artists will collide inside the Circle. Mujtaba is already in America, training at American Kickboxing Academy and preparing for his three-round war. With the epic event closing in, Mujtaba knows he has to deliver on the global stage.
“It’s already been a week since I’ve been in the U.S. I’ve started training back in AKA, so it’s going good. The training is going well. AKA is one of the top gyms in the world that have made really good champions. So, I’m under good management, under good coaches, and under good guys who are fighting for other promotions. In other words, I’m working with a pack of lions,” said Mujtaba.
Northcutt has not been seen since his failed ONE debut against Cosmo Alexandre. But now that he is fully healthy, the American is returning to lightweight to make noise. But Mujtaba is not ready to relent just because Northcutt enters with all the hype.
“Sage is a nice guy. Of course, he might be hungry for his comeback, he might be well prepared. But I’ve been in this game long, and I don’t fall too easily, and I’m ready for this. As far as I’m concerned with Sage, I don’t care whatever his attacks, whatever his plans would be, I’m ready with the answers,” said the lightweight.
Although the AKA athlete has his eyes set on a major winning streak, the match comes with more than just a battle for a win. Mujtaba wants to represent his home country and continue building the sport in Pakistan. He wants to inspire his fans and be one of the top stars in the sport while wearing his nation’s flag.
“Once again, I’m representing my country – this time, in the United States, the land of opportunity. So, I mean, there’s a lot of people from Pakistan in the U.S. They are waiting for me to represent my country, and there is a lot of Pakistanis who will be at the event, who are going to be cheering for me. To the Pakistan fans, I just want to say support me on the fifth of May. Say your Dua (prayers) for me. I just want to say that everything is possible; nothing is impossible,” said the Pakistani athlete.
Mujtaba’s recent victories have been decisive and swift. He knocked out Rahul Raju in under a minute and returned with a first-round submission over Brazil’s Abraao Amorim the following year. With Northcutt being his biggest opponent yet, Mujtaba is looking for another dominant performance to push his way into the official ONE athlete rankings.
“I would love to knock this guy out because I love knockouts. But you never know what happens in the game. It’s just a seconds-game away like my previous fight. The triangle was within seconds. You never know where the game is going. Insya-Allah, on the fifth of May, I’m going to smash this guy,” said Mujtaba.
While the lightweight star is focused on Northcutt, he is already eyeing the title. ONE Fight Night 10 is a massive platform, and Prime Video’s reach has the Pakistani ready to call his shot. Mujtaba is not mincing his words ahead of the incredible spectacle. He wants the gold.
“I’m one of the tough guys. I’m one of the most promising athletes. After knocking Sage out, I’ll be asking for the lightweight [title] bout against Christian Lee,” said Mujtaba.
ONE Fight Night 10 airs live from the 1stBank Center on Friday, May 5. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Prime Video. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.
