10 UFC Prodigies Who Didn't Live Up To The Billing

In every sport, potential stars are given the title of 'next big thing' before they've even had the chance to get their feet on the ground.

Hype can obviously be a positive resource. With it you can generate anticipation and excitement for a performer in their chosen field, which in turn will get eyes on your product and money in your pocket.

MMA - and UFC in particular - is no different. Dana White is constantly trying to unearth the next gem that will carry his company into the future and when his track record includes the likes of Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, you wouldn't bet against him doing so.

It's not as simple as finding talent, though.

Many fighters put in the hours and earn the accolades that get them on UFC's radar, only to falter on the ultimate stage of MMA. Be it through injuries, poor life choices or producing a torrid run of losses, UFC has the capacity to chew up and spit out any competitor who isn't deemed capable of living up to their potential.

In the promotion's 26 year history, many fighters have burst onto the scene and galvanised fans into believing they are about to witness a prodigy take over the world. Let's take a look at a couple who didn’t exactly live up to that billing.

Who better to start this list with than UFC's most recent hot air balloon, 'Super' Sage Northcutt. When you're being paid $40k as a 19 year old prospect, you've got to be something special.

That's the thing. Early on Northcutt definitely demonstrated that he could go in the cage, winning his first two UFC bouts convincingly. It was only when he was dished out his first loss in the company (before he'd even turned 21) that the cracks began to show.

With a face and physique chiselled out of stone, it was little surprise that White wanted to push the lad to the moon. However, this sport isn't a beauty pageant and, if you can't bring the goods come fight night, you run the risk of being terminated.

Northcutt found that out the hard way as - after winning three straight fights against admittedly weak opposition - UFC decided to cut their losses and focus on other talent in the promotion.

White stated how Northcutt 'needed some work' and you can't exactly argue with the boss as 'Super' recently had his face rearranged in a ONE Championship fight vs. Cosmo Alexandre - losing via KO for the first time in his career.

What could of been, eh?