“I’m Happy to Fight Any Big Names” – Halil Amir Picks Sage Northcutt as Next Target in Inching Closer Towards Christian Lee’s World Title

Published 11/08/2023, 7:26 AM EST

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Fouth-ranked lightweight MMA contender Halil Amir continued his winning ways in ONE Championship this past Friday evening, and he is now calling his shot against the biggest names in the division. The unbeaten Turk took home his third straight win in the promotion by scoring a first-round TKO win against Pakistan’s Ahmed Mujtaba at ONE Fight Night 16 inside the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 4, moving his overall professional slate to 10-0 in the process.

Amir cemented himself as an undeniable threat in the stacked lightweight MMA ranks with the victory, and he has World Title aspirations in mind. That said, the 29-year-old star understands it may take some time for reigning king Christian Lee to return to action after the death of his sister, Victoria, in December, and he only wishes him well.

Halil Amir revealed his next preferred rival even though he was ready for anyone

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There’s no shortage of talent in his bracket, however, and Amir is eyeing up the brightest and best to face while he waits for his shot at gold. “I send my warmest regards to Christian Lee. Hopefully, he feels better,” he told SCMP MMA in a post-fight interview. “My focus is obviously the title, but I don’t want an interim shot. That said, I’m happy to fight any big names. I want Sage [Northcutt]. That’s the fight I want no matter the time.”

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“Super” recently returned to ONE following an extended layoff due to injury and submitted Mujtaba within the first minute of his comeback fight at ONE Fight Night 10 this past May to earn his first win in the world’s largest martial arts organization and remind everyone just how dangerous he is.

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Northcutt may not be in the World Title picture yet, but he certainly has the star power to boost any fighter’s stock to incredible heights. But in calling out the American, Amir may stand to lose more than he could gain. After all, he has an undefeated record to protect, and the karate prodigy is no slouch.

Halil Amir will have no problems even if he gets a direct title shot

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However, the Turkish powerhouse is willing to take the chance, as it’s either a fight with Northcutt or a World Title clash he wants – nothing else will do. “I can fight with Sage Northcutt, doesn’t matter [when]. One month or after two months, I’m ready,” Amir said.

“There’s no other fights left for me. He’s the only fight that I want. The only other talk or discussion should be a title fight at this point.”

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Written by:

Souvik Roy

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One take at a time

The coveted scrap between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in 2002 was when I realized the passion for combat sports within my family. My interest in combat sports began watching scripted pro wrestling shows. It was my father who directed me towards combat sports and it wasn’t until the late 2010s that I discovered the world of MMA and the UFC.
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Edited by:

Yeswanth Praveen