Who Is Gauge Young? Meet ‘Gee Money,’ the Small-Town Wrestler Who Bet Everything on MMA

When his college opportunity fell apart, however, Young found himself searching for another direction. Wrestling was already part of his life, while kickboxing had become something he enjoyed on the side.

Soon, those two worlds came together.

He entered his first MMA fight shortly after turning 18, eventually moved away from his hometown to chase the sport full-time, and relied heavily on the support of the woman who later became his wife while he had almost no money.

Now, Young holds an 11-3 professional record with six knockout victories.

More importantly, his story is built around something he talks about constantly: learning how to believe in himself.

Gauge Young Fighter Information

Who Is Gauge Young?

Gauge Young is an American professional mixed martial artist from Sedalia, Missouri.

He competes in the UFC lightweight division under the nickname “Gee Money.”

Young combines a wrestling background with a striking game that has produced six professional knockout victories.

However, his path toward the UFC was far from straightforward.

Football originally looked like the sport that could shape his future. When that plan collapsed, MMA slowly became the new direction.

Eventually, what started as an experiment turned into the center of his life.

Where Is Gauge Young From?

Young was born and raised in Sedalia, Missouri.

Although his career eventually took him away from the small town for better training, Sedalia remains a major part of his identity.

In fact, Young has repeatedly talked about representing the community and returning home whenever possible.

Before one major fight, he described local businesses and supporters organizing events around him. He then made his connection to the town clear, saying that he was born and raised there and intended to continue representing Sedalia throughout his career.

That small-town background has also shaped how he sees his success.

Young has said that people where he comes from generally do not reach the level he has reached.

Did Gauge Young Play Football?

Yes.

Before MMA became his career, Young saw himself primarily as a football player.

His original plan was to play college football, get a degree and eventually enter a more traditional career.

However, his college scholarships reportedly fell through at the last moment.

That changed everything.

Suddenly, the future Young had expected was gone.

For a period, he attended school for roughly a semester, but college did not feel right.

Meanwhile, combat sports were already waiting in the background.

Did Gauge Young Wrestle Before MMA?

Yes.

Wrestling was one of Young’s earliest combat sports foundations.

He began wrestling while young and continued through high school.

Later, that experience gave him an important base when he started mixing martial arts together.

However, Young has admitted that wrestling is not necessarily the part of training he enjoys most.

He recognizes its value, yet striking comes more naturally to him.

When Did Gauge Young Start Kickboxing?

Young began kickboxing as a teenager.

At one point, he would play a football game on Friday night and then compete in a kickboxing match the following day.

At first, kickboxing was simply something he enjoyed.

Still, he quickly developed an interest in striking.

After football and college plans changed, Young realized he already had two important pieces of an MMA game: wrestling and kickboxing.

So, he combined them.

How Old Was Gauge Young When He Had His First MMA Fight?

Young was 18 years old.

In one interview, he said he took his first MMA fight around 10 days after his 18th birthday.

He admitted that he barely knew what he was getting himself into.

At the time, his experience consisted mainly of high school wrestling, hitting a heavy bag and a few amateur kickboxing matches.

Nevertheless, Young jumped into the cage.

That decision changed his life.

What Happened in Gauge Young’s First MMA Fight?

Young won, but he later laughed at how unprepared he looked.

According to him, he became extremely tired because he did not yet understand the demands of an MMA fight.

Still, the experience hooked him.

Once Young realized how much he enjoyed competing inside the cage, MMA stopped being a casual experiment.

It became the path.

Did Gauge Young Have an Amateur MMA Career?

Yes.

Young built significant experience before turning professional.

In a later interview, he described going 11-1 as an amateur and said that he was ranked No. 1 nationally at lightweight at one point.

Other earlier records mentioned a smaller number of amateur contests, so databases may differ on how all of those bouts were classified.

Still, the important point is clear.

Young did not rush into the professional level without experience.

Instead, he spent years learning through amateur MMA, wrestling, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu competition.

Did Gauge Young Ever Lose as an Amateur?

Yes.

Young has openly discussed an amateur loss that became important to his development.

He said his opponent got inside his head before the fight.

Rather than worrying specifically about being knocked out, Young became intimidated and mentally lost the contest before he even entered the cage.

Afterward, however, he did not stay down for long.

He spent roughly a weekend dealing with the disappointment, then returned to training.

Young later explained that losing was not unfamiliar because wrestling had already taught him how to experience failure and keep going.

That lesson would later become central to his mentality.

How Did Gauge Young Start Training Seriously?

At first, Young was training in a garage in Sedalia.

He had tough local training partners, but he realized that his ambitions were becoming larger than the structure around him.

Eventually, he received a call encouraging him to come train in Kansas City.

When he arrived, the difference was immediate.

There were structured practices, systems, higher-level fighters and experienced coaches.

However, Young also had to earn his place.

During an earlier transition into a major gym, he remembered being tested heavily by established fighters and getting beaten up in training for roughly two months before gaining their respect.

Instead of leaving, he stayed.

Why Did Gauge Young Move Away From Sedalia?

Young realized that becoming an elite fighter required a larger training environment.

That decision created a difficult personal situation.

Sedalia was home.

His partner was there.

Their lives were there.

Still, Young believed he had to take a chance on himself.

So, around 19 years old, he moved toward Kansas City to pursue fighting more seriously.

His longtime partner initially remained behind.

Who Is Gauge Young’s Wife?

Young has publicly spoken about having a wife who supported him long before he became a UFC fighter.

A public profile screenshot supplied for this profile lists Brooklyn Mitchell as being in a relationship with Young since April 15, 2018.

Separately, Young described his longtime partner in an interview as the woman who stayed in Sedalia while he moved to pursue fighting and who later became his wife.

The interview itself did not name her, so the two details should not automatically be treated as confirmation of identity.

What Young did make clear, however, was how important his partner was to his career.

How Did Gauge Young’s Wife Support His MMA Dream?

Financially and emotionally.

When Young moved away to train full-time, he was essentially a teenage fighter with almost no income.

His partner continued working and helped cover the bills.

Young openly admitted that she was taking care of him while he was saying, in effect, that he was going to become a UFC fighter.

At that point, there was no guarantee.

There was only belief.

Eventually, she moved with him, and Young has repeatedly credited her support as one of the reasons he reached the UFC.

Does Gauge Young Have Children?

Young has publicly said that he and his wife are expecting a child.

That development changed his motivation.

Earlier in his career, fighting was heavily connected to his search for identity, self-worth and purpose.

More recently, however, Young said his perspective changed because he now has a wife and a baby on the way.

Instead of fighting only for himself, he described his family as the new reason behind the work.

Why Did Gauge Young Start Fighting?

His answer has changed over time.

Initially, money was part of the attraction.

Young believed professional fighting could become a career that paid well.

Years later, he realized regional MMA was not a fast route to wealth.

Still, by then, the sport had already changed him.

Young said that what kept him fighting was no longer simply money. Instead, he became addicted to the lifestyle and the feeling of constantly improving.

That growth became its own reward.

Did Gauge Young Struggle With Self-Confidence?

Yes.

One of the more interesting parts of Young’s story is that his public confidence did not always match how he felt internally.

He has admitted that he was never naturally the most self-confident person.

At times, he said he essentially faked confidence.

Eventually, though, the hours in the gym changed that.

Young began to see proof that he belonged.

Now, instead of trying to convince himself that he is good enough, he says his confidence comes from the work he has already done.

What Is Gauge Young’s Mindset?

Young’s mentality is built around self-belief, repetition and accepting discomfort.

He has said that nobody can criticize him harder than he has already criticized himself.

Therefore, part of his growth has involved learning how to handle his own thoughts.

Rather than pretending fear does not exist, Young tries to understand it.

When anxiety appears, he asks himself why.

Then he mentally plays through the situation that scares him.

If he is worried about a takedown, for example, he visualizes defending it.

If he imagines being placed in a bad position, he works through the escape.

That process allows him to turn fear into preparation.

Does Gauge Young Meditate?

Yes.

Young has spoken about using meditation and visualization during fight camps.

When anxiety appears, he sits with the feeling instead of ignoring it.

Then he works through specific fight situations mentally.

For Young, fear is not automatically negative.

It can create focus.

However, the fighter has to control it.

He once compared fear to fire.

Handled correctly, fire can cook a meal.

Handled badly, it can burn down a house.

Has Fear Ever Cost Gauge Young a Fight?

According to Young, yes.

During his amateur career, he believes his emotions overwhelmed him before one fight.

He became intimidated by the opponent and mentally lost before the opening bell.

That experience became a wake-up call.

Afterward, Young started working much more seriously on the mental side of competition.

Now, he treats nervousness as normal.

He expects to be scared because he is about to fight another trained athlete.

The goal is not to remove the fear.

Instead, he wants to use it.

What Is Gauge Young’s Fighting Style?

Young is an orthodox lightweight who combines wrestling experience with sharp kickboxing.

His game includes:

• Wrestling experience
• Fast combinations
• Range management
• Strong right hand
• Knockout power
• Kickboxing
• Counter striking
• Cardio
• Fight IQ
• Improving submission offense
• Ability to adjust during fights

Although he started with wrestling, Young has said striking comes more naturally.

In particular, his right hand has become one of his biggest weapons.

Is Gauge Young a Wrestler or Striker?

He is both, although Young appears to enjoy striking more.

Wrestling gave him his early base.

Still, kickboxing feels more natural to him.

Over time, Young became increasingly confident that he could hurt high-level opponents with his hands.

As a result, he began deliberately hunting knockouts.

That mentality matches his record.

Six of his professional wins have come by KO or TKO.

Does Gauge Young Have Knockout Power?

Yes.

Young has described himself as having legitimate one-punch power.

More importantly, his record supports the idea that striking is a major finishing weapon.

He currently has six professional knockout wins.

Young has also said that once his confidence behind the right hand grew, opponents began falling much more regularly.

Does Gauge Young Prefer Knockouts or Submissions?

Knockouts.

Young has been very clear about that.

During an earlier interview, he was asked whether he would rather knock someone unconscious or force a submission.

His response was essentially KO every time.

He described the feeling of a knockout as an adrenaline rush that submissions do not give him in quite the same way.

Still, Young respects grappling and continues developing it.

Is Gauge Young Good at Jiu-Jitsu?

Young considers himself well-rounded, although submission offense was once an area he specifically wanted to improve.

After one earlier fight, he said his submission defense had improved significantly.

However, he wanted to become more dangerous offensively.

Therefore, he began spending more time creating a structured submission game.

Even so, Young’s first instinct remains finishing opponents with strikes.

What Kind of Opponent Gives Gauge Young Trouble?

Young has identified well-rounded pressure fighters as a potentially difficult style.

A fighter who can constantly move him backward while mixing striking and takedowns creates multiple threats at once.

However, Young also believes understanding that weakness gives him a better chance to fix it.

He studies his own style carefully.

As a result, he wants to know exactly where opponents might find success before fight night.

Does Gauge Young Study Other UFC Fighters?

Yes.

Young describes himself as a student of MMA.

He regularly watches film and has mentioned studying fighters such as:

• Cory Sandhagen
• Robert Whittaker
• Michael Chandler
• Jack Della Maddalena
• Charles Oliveira
• Max Holloway

Sandhagen has been especially interesting to him because of the way he blends takedown threats with high-level striking.

Young likes studying how one threat creates openings for another.

Who Are Gauge Young’s Favorite Fighters?

Young has mentioned several fighters he admires.

Robert Whittaker has been described as one of his heroes.

Meanwhile, Michael Chandler became another source of inspiration.

Young has a similar compact frame and previously wondered whether his body would be too small for lightweight.

Seeing Chandler generate huge power at 155 pounds helped change that thinking.

That became especially relevant as Young grew naturally into the lightweight division.

Did Gauge Young Ever Fight at Featherweight?

Yes.

Young previously competed around featherweight.

As he matured physically, however, the cut became increasingly difficult.

At one point, he discussed having to lose roughly 40 pounds across an eight-week camp because he had allowed his weight to climb too high outside competition.

Eventually, lightweight became a more natural division.

Would Gauge Young Fight at Welterweight?

Young has previously said he would prefer not to.

The 15-pound jump between lightweight and welterweight is significant.

He has also seen lightweight teammates compete against naturally larger welterweights and noticed the physical difference.

Therefore, 155 pounds appears to be his preferred long-term division.

Did Gauge Young Turn Down a UFC Contract?

According to Young, yes.

One of the most unusual parts of his career came before he eventually joined the UFC.

Young said that after knocking out David Evans when he was around 21, he was offered an opportunity to enter the UFC.

He turned it down.

Why?

Because he did not believe he was ready yet.

Rather than rushing toward the biggest promotion, Young wanted more professional experience.

That decision says a lot about how he views MMA as both sport and business.

Why Would Gauge Young Turn Down the UFC?

Young wanted staying power, not simply a UFC logo beside his name.

He had watched teammates and other fighters accept short-notice UFC opportunities, lose difficult fights and then disappear from the promotion quickly.

Young did not want that story.

Instead, he wanted enough experience to arrive in the UFC and actually compete.

His thinking was simple.

Getting signed was not the hardest part.

Staying there was.

Did Gauge Young Move Gyms During His Career?

Yes.

Young’s career has involved several training changes as he searched for better structure.

At different points, he trained around Kansas City and considered moving toward larger environments such as Factory X.

Today, official listings associate him with Ignite Jiu-Jitsu.

The larger pattern, however, has remained consistent.

Whenever Young feels that his development requires something more, he is willing to move.

What Was Training Like for Gauge Young Early in His Career?

Rough.

In one interview, Young described arriving at a new high-level room where established fighters immediately tested him.

For roughly two months, he felt like he was constantly being beaten up in training.

However, he eventually earned respect.

That period taught Young something important.

He could survive in difficult rooms.

Moreover, being uncomfortable did not mean he was in the wrong place.

Sometimes discomfort meant he was finally training somewhere that could force him to improve.

What Does a Gauge Young Training Camp Look Like?

Young trains heavily when competition approaches.

In one camp, he described days that included:

• Morning training
• Live grappling
• Four-mile runs
• Ice baths
• Jiu-jitsu
• Strength and conditioning
• Sparring the following morning

Sometimes, that means two sessions every day.

However, Young has also become more aware of overtraining.

When calories drop and the body becomes tired, he knows intensity has to be managed carefully.

Why Is Strength and Conditioning Important to Gauge Young?

As Young reached the UFC level, he decided that simply training MMA was not enough.

He began treating strength and conditioning as its own serious part of his preparation.

That change reflects his overall development.

Instead of approaching himself only as a fighter, Young increasingly approaches camp like a professional athlete.

Recovery, calories, water, sleep, running and strength work all matter.

What Does Gauge Young Do Outside MMA?

Young describes himself as a fairly simple person.

Outside training, he has talked about:

• Gaming
• Spending time with family
• Drinking coffee
• Trying different food
• Spending time with his dog
• Sightseeing
• Staying home
• Thinking about future businesses

He has called himself a homebody.

Therefore, his life outside camp is not built around partying or constant attention.

Is Gauge Young a Gamer?

Yes.

Young has said he plays video games in his free time.

However, fighting still takes up most of his mental energy.

During serious camps, nearly everything revolves around training, food, sleep and recovery.

Gaming is simply one of the ways he relaxes when there is time.

Does Gauge Young Have a Dog?

Yes.

Young has publicly mentioned a dog named Poncho.

Spending time with Poncho is one of the simple things he enjoys outside MMA.

Does Gauge Young Like Coffee?

Yes.

Young has described himself as a foodie and coffee lover.

In fact, when asked what kind of business he might start if money were no issue, one of his answers was a coffee shop.

That was not his only idea.

What Does Gauge Young Want to Do After Fighting?

Young has surprisingly peaceful plans for someone who makes a living fighting people.

He has talked about:

• Owning a coffee shop
• Creating a community garden
• Growing vegetables
• Living on a farm
• Raising chickens
• Raising goats
• Raising cattle
• Becoming a “cowboy”
• Investing in real estate
• Buying and renting houses

He has even described himself as a lover rather than a naturally mean person.

The contrast is interesting.

Inside the cage, Young wants knockouts.

Outside it, he imagines eventually becoming a homesteader.

Does Gauge Young Want to Invest in Real Estate?

Yes.

Young has discussed using money from fighting to buy houses.

His idea is to purchase property, rent it out and create passive income.

That connects directly to one of his biggest long-term goals.

Financial freedom.

Does Gauge Young Want to Become UFC Champion?

Young’s answer has been more thoughtful than the standard prospect response.

He respects how difficult becoming world champion actually is.

Instead of casually declaring that a belt is guaranteed, Young has said that people sometimes throw the phrase “future world champion” around too easily.

His initial target is progress.

First the UFC.

Then perhaps the top 15.

After that, the top 10.

Of course, Young also admits that if he reaches No. 15, his mind will immediately start asking why he cannot reach No. 10.

And if he reaches No. 10, why not No. 5?

Eventually, that logic leads to the championship.

What Is Gauge Young’s Biggest Career Goal?

Financial freedom has been one of his clearest answers.

Young wants fighting to give him enough money that he can live comfortably, support his family and eventually invest in life beyond MMA.

For him, rankings matter.

Winning matters.

However, he also understands that fighting is a short career.

Therefore, turning those wins into long-term security matters just as much.

Why Does Gauge Young Say He Has Been ‘Losing His Whole Life’?

Because his path has included much more failure than fans see.

Today, people see a UFC fighter.

Young sees the small kid who lost wrestling matches, watched football plans fail, struggled with confidence and repeatedly had to rebuild.

He has said that many of those old losses are now becoming wins.

That perspective is important because Young does not present his story as one of effortless talent.

In fact, he has said he was not born with extraordinary athletic ability.

His strongest trait, he believes, is heart.

What Advice Does Gauge Young Give Young Fighters?

Believe in yourself and keep showing up.

Young’s message is not complicated.

He believes the formula at the highest level is already visible:

Hard work.

Discipline.

Consistency.

Suffering.

Then more work.

The difficult question is whether someone can continue when progress becomes painful.

Young believes many people stop when the pressure becomes uncomfortable.

His advice is to stay in it.

Why Does Gauge Young Stand Out?

Gauge Young stands out because his UFC career did not begin with the story of a child prodigy who always knew he would become a fighter.

His first dream was football.

Then the scholarship disappeared.

College felt wrong.

At 18, he jumped into an MMA cage without really understanding what he was doing.

Soon afterward, the obsession started.

Young trained in a garage in Sedalia.

Eventually, he left home because he knew the small-town environment could not give him everything he needed.

His partner stayed behind, worked and helped pay the bills while a teenage Young chased what sounded like an unrealistic promise.

He kept going.

Then something unusual happened.

When the UFC opportunity appeared too early, Young did not immediately grab it.

He turned it down because he wanted to become better first.

Later, he finally reached the promotion.

Even then, his development continued.

The same fighter who once admitted to faking confidence now talks about having an authentic belief built through years of work.

Meanwhile, family has changed his motivation again.

A wife and child on the way mean the fight is no longer only about proving something to himself.

Yet beneath everything else, one thing has stayed consistent.

Gauge Young is still the kid from Sedalia willing to bet heavily on himself.

Gauge Young Career Update

Gauge Young currently holds an 11-3 professional MMA record with six knockout wins and one submission victory.

After reaching the UFC, Young continued developing into a more experienced lightweight and has put together consecutive victories.

His most recent listed fight came on April 18, 2026, adding another win to his UFC run.

Young has said that he now feels at home competing on the UFC stage and no longer feels overwhelmed by the lights, crowd or environment.

He has also discussed a scheduled August 22, 2026 UFC fight in Sacramento against Cody Steel, describing it as the final bout of his current deal and an opportunity to earn another contract.

As always, however, his larger approach remains the same.

One fight.

One camp.

One session at a time.

Gauge Young FAQs

Who is Gauge Young?

Gauge Young is an American UFC lightweight from Sedalia, Missouri who competes under the nickname “Gee Money.”

What is Gauge Young’s full name?

His full name is Gauge Dillan Young.

What is Gauge Young’s nickname?

His nickname is “Gee Money.”

When was Gauge Young born?

He was born on July 14, 2000.

Where is Gauge Young from?

Young is from Sedalia, Missouri, United States.

How tall is Gauge Young?

He is listed at 5-foot-9, or approximately 175 cm.

What is Gauge Young’s reach?

His reach is listed at 70 inches, or approximately 178 cm.

What weight class does Gauge Young fight in?

Young competes in the UFC lightweight division.

What stance does Gauge Young use?

He fights from an orthodox stance.

What is Gauge Young’s MMA record?

His professional MMA record is 11-3.

How many knockout wins does Gauge Young have?

Young has six professional knockout victories.

Does Gauge Young have a wrestling background?

Yes. Wrestling was one of his earliest combat sports and became an important foundation for MMA.

Did Gauge Young play football?

Yes. Football was originally the sport he expected to pursue in college before those plans fell apart.

When did Gauge Young start kickboxing?

He began kickboxing as a teenager and sometimes competed in kickboxing shortly after playing football games.

How old was Gauge Young when he started MMA?

Young took his first MMA fight shortly after turning 18 years old.

Did Gauge Young train in a garage?

Yes. Early in his career, Young trained in a garage in Sedalia before moving toward a larger MMA environment.

Who is Gauge Young’s wife?

Young has publicly discussed a longtime partner who later became his wife. A supplied public profile screenshot lists Brooklyn Mitchell as being in a relationship with Young since 2018, although the later interview referring to his wife does not identify her by name.

Does Gauge Young have a child?

Young has publicly said that he and his wife have a baby on the way.

Is Gauge Young a father?

He is preparing to become a father and has said that his future child has become a major source of motivation.

Why is Gauge Young called Gee Money?

“Gee Money” is Young’s established fighting nickname, although the supplied interviews do not clearly explain how the nickname originally started.

What is Gauge Young’s fighting style?

Young mixes wrestling with kickboxing, knockout power, range management and improving submission skills.

Does Gauge Young have knockout power?

Yes. Six of his professional victories have come by knockout or TKO.

Does Gauge Young prefer knockouts or submissions?

Young has openly said he prefers knockouts.

What is Gauge Young’s best punch?

His right hand is one of his most important weapons.

Did Gauge Young turn down the UFC?

According to Young, he previously declined an early UFC opportunity because he believed he needed more professional experience before competing there.

Why did Gauge Young turn down a UFC opportunity?

He wanted to arrive ready to stay in the organization rather than simply accept a short-notice opportunity and potentially disappear after a few fights.

Does Gauge Young meditate?

Yes. Young has discussed meditation, visualization and self-talk as tools for managing fight anxiety.

Does Gauge Young get scared before fights?

Yes. Rather than denying fear, Young believes being scared is normal. His focus is controlling the feeling and using it to sharpen his performance.

What fighters does Gauge Young study?

He has discussed studying fighters including Cory Sandhagen, Robert Whittaker, Michael Chandler and Jack Della Maddalena.

Who is Gauge Young’s favorite fighter?

Young has referred to Robert Whittaker as one of his heroes and has also spoken highly of Michael Chandler.

Does Gauge Young play video games?

Yes. He has described himself as a gamer and homebody outside training.

Does Gauge Young have a dog?

Yes. Young has mentioned a dog named Poncho.

Does Gauge Young like coffee?

Yes. He has even discussed possibly owning a coffee shop later in life.

What does Gauge Young want to do after MMA?

Young has talked about real estate, owning a coffee shop, gardening, farming and possibly living a homesteading lifestyle after fighting.

Does Gauge Young want to become UFC champion?

Young has championship ambitions, although he prefers taking his career one stage at a time rather than casually predicting a title.

What is Gauge Young’s biggest goal outside fighting?

Financial freedom and providing for his family are major long-term goals.

What is Gauge Young’s Instagram?

Gauge Young’s Instagram is @geemoney_mma.