BOISE, Idaho – Sage Northcutt might be a UFC welterweight from now on.

Walking around at his natural weight, Northcutt (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) feels more comfortable than ever fighting at 170 pounds, he told MMAjunkie in advance of his meeting with Zak Ottow (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 133.

But what really makes a difference, Northcutt said, are the circumstances surrounding his third try at the division.

“Not to complain or anything, but I was extremely sick with strep throat (and) ended up going to the hospital (prior to my first welterweight fight),” said Northcutt, who faces Ottow in the FS1-televised co-headliner of Saturday’s event at CenturyLink Arena in Boise. “Next fight at welterweight, I had my tonsils taken out. It was crazy.”

With a full camp behind him and the schedule of a full-time fighter, Northcutt thinks of his current fight as his real debut at 170 pounds.

“Really, if you take a look at the training, I was in high school and college all my fights,” he said. “Now, the last two fights, I’ve been at Team Alpha Male. So this is my third fight getting trained consistently with the team.”

Until a 165-pound division opens up, Northcutt plans to make the most of his time at welterweight. He said he could return to lightweight but would rather keep a consistent schedule in the higher division.

“Kind of like Donald Cerrone,” Northcutt said. “How he fights and puts on a great show all the time. Fighting down at 155, that weight-cut is so extreme. For my body, I walk around very lean all the time, and it’s hard to lose that weight. I think 170 will be good for me.”

Check out the video to get Northcutt’s thoughts on his matchup with Ottow.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 133, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.