‘I Have To Win At Any Cost’ – Ahmed Mujtaba Fired Up For Massive Opportunity To Fight Sage Northcutt In U.S.
Surging lightweight MMA contender Ahmed Mujtaba is ready for the biggest, most high-profile fight of his career.
On May 5, the Pakistani standout will compete at ONE’s historic debut on U.S. soil – ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III – when he battles American superstar Sage Northcutt.
That bout will be Mujtaba’s first opportunity to showcase his prodigious talents in front of a North American audience, live and in primetime on streaming giant Prime Video.
Moreover, the huge moment isn’t lost on the man known as “Wolverine.”
After earning a pair of sensational first-round finishes and now facing one of MMA’s most popular athletes, Mujtaba knows he must seize the opportunity – not only for himself but also for his home nation.
He told ONEFC.com:
“Fighting on May 5 in the United States, it’s a big thing for me. Once again, I’m representing my country in the States, the land of opportunity. 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 going to be at the event, who are going to be cheering for me.”
Well aware of everything that’s at stake, Mujtaba has brought his camp to the world-class American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California.
That hard work alongside the best fighters on the planet has given the 30-year-old a great deal of confidence for his first appearance in the United States.
He said:
“The training is going good, you know. Especially, AKA is one of the top gyms in the world that has made really good champions. So I’m under good management. I’m under good coaches.
“So I am ready for this event, you know. So everything is going good. Everything is going smooth, and all hope is from Allah. So I mean, like I don’t care whatever the result is gonna be. But I’m ready for this, you know.”
Mujtaba Expects To Have ‘Answers’ For Northcutt’s Game
Pakistani grappling expert Ahmed Mujtaba recognizes the rare opportunity that lies ahead and knows he must deliver on fight night.
At the same time, his opponent will present an interesting test in the Circle. Sage Northcutt is a multiple-time Karate World Champion who hasn’t competed in MMA since he suffered a devastating knockout loss in his ONE debut back in May 2019.
“Wolverine” expects his foe to be competing with something to prove, but he has just as much on the line – and believes he has even more motivation:
“He’s going to be hungry because last time he got knocked out. Plus, he’s going to be afraid as well. I’m not an easy guy to fight against because I need the win as well, because I’m hungry for the win, too. I’m coming from a very rough situation. I’m coming from a very rough part. So, I don’t want to lose at any cost. Like, no matter if my life is gone, I’m ready to give my life for this. I have to win at any cost.”
Mujtaba acknowledges that “Super” will be a dangerous opponent.
But with six thrilling bouts inside the Circle, an impressive knack for finding the finish, and a surge of winning momentum behind him, the Pakistani athlete is trusting his own skills rather than worrying about what Northcutt brings to the table.
He added:
“Sage is a nice guy. Of course, he might be hungry for his comeback. He might be well prepared. But you know I’m in this game, and I don’t fall too simply, and I’m ready for this. And as far as I’m concerned, with Sage, I don’t care whatever his attacks, whatever his plans would be, I’m ready for the answers.”
