UFC signs vicious striker on a week’s notice for risky matchup

UFC Kansas City has received a fight cancellation, but the promotion has found a late-notice replacement.
The prelim contest between Evan Elder and Ahmad Hassanzada is no more, with debutant Hassanzada withdrawing.
As a replacement for Elder, the UFC has signed FAC standout and former Dana White's Contender Series loser Gauge 'Gee Money' Young, as reported by Marcel Dorff on Twitter.
🚨🚨#UFCKansasCity🚨🚨
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) April 19, 2025
Ahmad Hassanzada out. Gage Young signs with the UFC. He takes on Evan Elder next week in Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/wWtN0F73yG
Young is a prolific finisher with six of his nine professional victories coming by knockout. He owns four KO/TKO victories in the first round and hasn't won a fight by decision since his second professional appearance in 2021.
The adjusted UFC Kansas City lineup is as follows (subject to change):
- Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates
- Anthony Smith vs. Mingyang Zhang
- Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama
- Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov
- Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz
- Matt Schnell vs. Jimmy Flick
- Evan Elder vs. Gauge Young
- Chris Gutierrez vs. Josh Castaneda
- Da'Mon Blackshear vs. Alatengheili
- Cameron Saaiman vs. Malcolm Wellmaker
- Jaqueline Amorim vs. Polyana Viana
- Timmy Cuamba vs. Roberto Romero
- Chelsea Chandler vs. Joselyne Edwards
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Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with half a decade of digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on Bloody Elbow, The Fight Fanatic, and Heavy on UFC. He runs Warrior Tribune and can be contacted by his Muckrack profile.
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