UFC on ESPN 66: Evan Elder Takes on Gauge Young in Lightweight Bout
In a highly anticipated lightweight fight, Evan Elder is set to face Gauge Young at UFC on ESPN 66, which takes place at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. According to The Stats Zone, this bout marks Elder’s attempt to secure his third consecutive win, while Young looks to make a statement in his UFC debut.
UFC on ESPN 66: Event Details
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, with the preliminary card starting at 11:00 pm UK time, followed by the main card at 2:00 am on Sunday. In the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ at 6:00 pm ET and 3:00 pm PT. The Stats Zone reports that fans in the UK can tune in to TNT Sports, while those in the US can stream the event online via ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
Evan Elder vs Gauge Young: Fight Preview
Evan Elder, 28, is coming off two consecutive wins, having submitted Darrius Flowers last July and secured a unanimous decision victory over Genaro Valdez. As The Stats Zone notes, Elder’s impressive form follows a difficult start to his UFC career, where he lost his first two fights. His opponent, Gauge Young, is a 24-year-old striker with a remarkable record of six consecutive wins by KO/TKO. Young will make his UFC debut on just five days’ notice, having replaced Ahmad Sohail Hassanzada, who was pulled from the card due to his arrest.
Fighting Style and Prediction
Elder is considered a more well-rounded fighter than Young, with a strong ground game. However, The Stats Zone suggests that Elder may choose to engage in a stand-up fight, given Young’s formidable striking abilities. The publication quotes, "Elder has to be favoured with experience on his side but Young certainly has the puncher’s chance." In the end, The Stats Zone predicts that Elder’s experience will give him the edge he needs to secure the win, stating, "Prediction: Evan Elder to win."
UFC on ESPN 66: Full Card
The event features a stacked lineup, including:
- Ian Machado Garry vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
- Anthony Smith vs Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)
- Giga Chikadze vs David Onama (Featherweight)
- Michel Pereira vs Abusupiyan Magomedov (Middleweight)
- Randy Brown vs Nicolas Dalby (Welterweight)
- Ikram Aliskerov vs Andre Muniz (Middleweight)
The preliminary card includes:
- Matt Schnell vs Jimmy Flick (Flyweight)
- Evan Elder vs Gauge Young (Lightweight)
- Chris Gutierrez vs John Castaneda (Featherweight)
- Da’Mon Blackshear vs Alateng Heili (Bantamweight)
- Malcolm Wellmaker vs Cameron Saaiman (Bantamweight)
- Jaqueline Amorim vs Polyana Viana (Women’s Strawweight)
- Timothy Cuamba vs Roberto Romero (Featherweight)
- Chelsea Chandler vs Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)
Conclusion
As reported by The Stats Zone, the lightweight bout between Evan Elder and Gauge Young promises to be an exciting addition to the UFC on ESPN 66 card. With both fighters looking to make a statement, this fight is sure to be a thrilling encounter. As The Stats Zone notes, Elder’s experience and well-rounded skills may give him the edge he needs to secure the win, but Young’s formidable striking abilities make him a force to be reckoned with.
