​On August 22, the UFC is set to stage an event at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, with a focused lightweight clash that fans won’t want to miss. In this bout, Kody Steele returns to the Octagon to face Gauge Young in the capital city of California. The matchup has been confirmed by multiple outlets reporting to Heavy.com, and both competitors are aiming for a victory in UFC Sacramento that would edge them closer to a ranked position and a potential shot at a higher-caliber opponent.
Kody Steele earned his UFC contract in 2024, and at 31 years old hails from Port Angeles, Washington. Before entering the Contender Series, he had crafted an impressive 6-0 record, catching the promotion’s attention with his finishing ability. Steele faced Chasen Blair on the Contender Series and secured a second-round body-shot finish, which helped him secure a UFC deal. He made his promotional debut in early 2025 against Rongzhu, a fight many considered among last year’s standout displays. Despite a valiant effort, Steele fell to a unanimous decision against the Chinese fighter. He rebounded in his next outing by delivering a swift finish to promotional newcomer Dom Mar Fan via heel-hook submission in the first round, marking his first UFC win. Now, he prepares to meet Gauge Young in Sacramento.
Gauge Young has built a reputation through the Fighting Alliance Championship (FAC), where he posted an 8-1 record and started drawing attention as a rising lightweight. The 25-year-old American fighter earned a 2024 Contender Series opportunity and put forth a strong effort in his debut that ultimately ended in a unanimous decision defeat to Quillan Searles. Returning to the FAC, Young added another victory before receiving a late call in 2025 to step up to the UFC against Evan Elder. Young’s initial appearance in the UFC ended in a competitive unanimous decision loss, but a full training camp followed, and he notched his first UFC win four months later, topping Maheshate by unanimous decision over three rounds. In his most recent outing, Young faced a significant test against veteran Thiago Moisés and delivered a strong performance, earning a split-decision win. Now he moves up again to challenge Kody Steele in Sacramento.
The anticipated card for UFC Sacramento also features other notable bouts and continues to highlight the rising talent within the lightweight division. In addition to Steele vs. Young, fans can look forward to several intriguing matchups as the event unfolds, underscoring the UFC’s ongoing push to showcase dynamic, up-and-coming fighters alongside established competitors.
As anticipation builds for the Sacramento showdown, fans and media outlets are keeping a close eye on how this lightweight encounter could influence the rankings and future matchmaking. A win for either Steele or Young could accelerate their path toward a spot among the sport’s elite, potentially leading to opportunities against ranked opponents and more high-stakes bouts in the near term.
If you’re following UFC Sacramento, stay tuned for more updates as fight night approaches. This event promises to deliver a compelling showcase of emerging and established talent in the lightweight division, with Kody Steele and Gauge Young aiming to add their names to the list of contenders climbing the rankings.