Kody Steele vs. Gauge Young booked for UFC Sacramento on Aug. 22

Two unranked lightweight prospects will collide when Kody Steele takes on Gauge "Gee Money" Young at UFC Sacramento on August 22.

Steele, a 31-year-old American fighting out of Syndicate MMA, carries an 8-1 record into the bout. The orthodox striker stands five-foot-nine with a 71-inch reach and has shown consistent output inside the Octagon, averaging 4.44 significant strikes per minute. His takedown rate of 0.62 per 15 minutes suggests he is comfortable mixing levels, though he has not attempted a submission in his UFC appearances to date.

Young, nicknamed "Gee Money," is six years younger at 25 and brings a more seasoned record of 11-3 to Sacramento. He trains out of Ignite Jiu-Jitsu and shares Steele's orthodox stance and five-foot-nine frame, giving up just an inch of reach. What separates him statistically is a striking accuracy of 51 percent alongside a volume of 5.71 significant strikes per minute — numbers that place him among the sharper strikers in his division.

Why it matters

• Both fighters are orthodox and nearly identical in size, putting the edge in technique and timing at a premium.
• Young's superior striking accuracy and output make the standup exchange a critical battleground for Steele.
• A win for either man on an ESPN card builds momentum toward a divisional ranking and raises their profile heading into the back half of 2026.
• Steele's wrestling threat, even if modest by the numbers, gives him a potential path to disrupt Young's rhythm on the feet.