'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2. ONE Championship featherweight fight against former champion Martin Nguyen
After breaking his face in his ONE Championship debut, the always positive Northcutt has learned a lesson or two. One of the most important takeaways was that he needed to go back down to 155 pounds.
In an interview, the former UFC star explained how he'll approach his comeback:
"I'm not really thinking about any opponents right now. Just thinking that how I'm gonna go down two weight classes. My previous organization I was in, I was 5-0 at 155 pounds... So, I'm gonna go back down. I've learnt my lesson about fighting a weight class too big."
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Catch the full interview below:
With that said, if Northcutt is indeed dropping to 155 pounds, which is featherweight in ONE, his best opponent there is Martin Nguyen.
The former champion is on a two-fight skid and was last seen inside the cage in a losing bid against Korean slugger Kim Jae Woon.
Still, Nguyen has the star power and skill to give a fight that has the potential to be a classic. The 'Situ Asian' has hands filled with murder backed and can shut anybody's lights off at any moment. Add that to his extensive experience in the upper echelon of the sport and you have a great challenge for Northcutt.
#1. ONE Championship lightweight fight against Eddie Alvarez
This fight makes the most sense whichever angle you look at. From a marketing standpoint, it's an easy sell. Northcutt and Eddie 'The Underground King' Alvarez are the two most recognizable American fighters in ONE.
It also weaves a compelling 'old guard vs. new blood' tale that everyone can relate to. With Alvarez being a former UFC champion and veteran of the sport, Northcutt is an up-and-coming prodigy. This could be Northcutt's "passing of the torch" moment.
From a competitive angle, this fight makes total sense as well. Both fighters are coming off losses from high-profile opponents. Having them clash will not step over anyone's number next to their name or mess up the division's ranks altogether.
In fact, Alvarez has also been mentioned by ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong to fight at ONE: X. Here's to hoping he's the one slated to fight 'Super' in ONE Championship's biggest event ever.
