Claudio Puelles out, Sage Northcutt now faces John Makdessi at UFC 214

Young lightweight prospect Sage Northcutt has a new opponent for UFC 214.

There’s been a change of opponent for Sage Northcutt.

The 21-year-old was scheduled to take on Claudio Puelles at UFC 214 in Anaheim on July 29th, but Puelles recently announced he had to withdraw due to injury, so in steps veteran John Makdessi. Canadian Press confirmed the news on Tuesday.

Northcutt (8-2) is making his return to lightweight after suffering two losses last year as a welterweight. He was choked out by Bryan Barberena in January, then returned to 155 and eked out a decision over Enrique Marin at UFC 200, and capped off a rough 2016 by getting knocked down and submitted by Mickey Gall at UFC on FOX 24. “Super” Sage announced his permanent move back to lightweight shortly after the Gall loss.

Makdessi (14-6) hasn’t fought since a devastating wheel kick KO loss to Lando Vannata at UFC 206. The Canadian is just 2-4 in his last six fights, with his most recent win coming by split decision vs. Mehdi Baghdad in July. Makdessi’s most famous highlight in the UFC was his spinning backfist stoppage of Kyle Watson at UFC 129 back in 2010.

UFC 214 is headlined by a light heavyweight championship rematch between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. The co-main event will pit Cris Cyborg against Megan Anderson for the recently vacated UFC women’s featherweight belt.