Reebok signs Sage Northcutt to individual sponsorship deal

Let the hate commence.

Sage Northcutt, the UFC's much-maligned young prospect, has signed an individual sponsorship deal with UFC apparel partner Reebok, he announced Wednesday on Twitter. Northcutt joins a roster that includes fighters like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Paige VanZant, Chris Weidman, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Anthony Pettis, Johny Hendricks and Rory MacDonald.

Reebok is the UFC's official apparel sponsors, so every fight wears the brand and gets paid for it. Northcutt and the others have a side deal that apparently pays them more money.

So pumped to announce that I've officially signed with @Reebok. #TeamReebok pic.twitter.com/YO7hF4oTrV

— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) June 29, 2016

@Reebok Reebok is Awesome! I'm glad to be part of the team

— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) June 29, 2016

Northcutt, just 20 years old, signed with the UFC last year after being discovered by UFC president Dana White on his "Lookin' for a Fight" show on UFC Fight Pass. The Texas native quickly won his first two UFC fights before dropping a second-round submission to Bryan Barberena at UFC on FOX 18 in January.

Northcutt (7-1) has been criticized by fellow fighters, because there is a sentiment that he has been promoted more by the UFC than is deserved at this point in his career. This new Reebok deal will only further fuel that fire.

@sagenorthcutt @Reebok who were you with before? Reebok lol get signed after a loss. Do you think it's bc you're a good fighter?

— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) June 29, 2016

"Super Sage" returns to the Octagon when he takes on Enrique Marin at UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas.