NEWARK, NEW JERSEY---When the fight was originally announced at the last UFC event of 2015 (UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2), "Super" Sage Northcutt was 2-0 in the octagon and set to do battle for a third time on January 30 against the also undefeated Andrew Holbrook.

Plans changed. And unfortunately for Northcutt, the probable result of what would have been, was altered as well.

Up a weight class and facing Bryan "Bam Bam" Barberena, Sage Northcutt experienced early success in Round 1 prior to being wrestled to the ground, thanks to a miscue, and submitted via an arm triangle in Round 2.

Round 1

Initiating the action early, "Super Sage" landed a very nice 1-2 combo coming out of the gate which put Barberena against the fence. However, soon the 19-year old found himself against the side of the octagon as the position was flipped and knees, as well as elbows, were being thrown his way in the clinch. Though, Northcutt would escape.

Following both attempting a kick simultaneously and "Bam Bam" hitting the deck as a result, "Super Sage" dropped his opponent again with a straight left while jumping on top for the "ground and pound."

Even though Barberena quickly hopped back to his feet, Northcutt took him down in addition to positioning himself on his back. So with the 26-year old veteran standing up, and the youngster on his back, Sage attempted to get a choke submission past the halfway mark of the round.

But he was unable to, and a clinch ensued. 

Yet once again, after Northcutt backed out of the close exchange, he had much success in the stand-up, for he blasted "Bam Bam" with a pair of lefts, the second of which caused a slip. Continuing to attack, the rookie offered two right hands that not only drew blood, but stunned Barberena. 

Somehow pushing the pace even further,  "Super Sage" picked up and threw down the woozy Barberena for another takedown before standing back up and landing a knee to the body. It seemed as though Sage Northcutt was doing everything he wanted to yet another opponent. 

Or, that was until Barberena recorded a takedown of his own and "hurt" his opponent with a right hook. Furthermore, "Bam Bam," like his name, didn't just stop with one "Bam" and added another! Northcutt was in trouble!

But not in that much trouble, as he countered and opened up with his opponent until the horn sounded.

Round 2

Slow and steady to start for both fighters, the opening seconds didn't offer as much as the first. But, when Northcutt attempted an unorthodox kick attempt that missed and was off balanced from the start, the dynamic of the fight changed.

Quickly taking advantage of the youngster's blunder, "Bam Bam" jumped on top and started throwing nasty elbows and brutal punches. Moreover, Northcutt was unable to escape, for he was smothered and getting more and more fatigued. Oh, and his face began to get "messed up" as Barberena opened his right eye with an elbow. Now "Super Sage" was in grave danger. 

On the bottom to a quality wrestler, Northcutt was soon limited to half guard before getting his arm trapped in an arm triangle. From being trapped, he then tapped, and the undefeated record evaporated.

He Said It

"It feels great! But you know what, I have my own hype behind me! My team, my family, my friends, my fans, they all knew--they all knew I was coming in here. They all knew I was going to win! They had no doubt in me!"
---Bryan Barberena on derailing a fighter with a "hype train."