Five powerful words: Sage Northcutt shines in Boise

Saturday’s UFC’s Fight Night card in Boise was perhaps the greatest assembly of easy-to-get along-with fighters ever constructed, many of whom were coming back from long hiatuses or facing unofficial do-or-die fights. Cat Zingano needed a win in the worst way against Marion Reneau, and got it. She cried on the mic afterwards, because it had been nearly four years since she’d had her hand raised. Chad Mendes got a first-round TKO of Myles Jury after two-and-a-half years away. To celebrate, the little carnivore said he was off to drink beer and eat some brisket.

And Junior dos Santos — the gentlest giant the sport has ever known — persevered for five rounds against Blagoy Ivanov (who himself…