Apr 26, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Gauge Young (blue gloves) prepares to fight Evan Elder (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

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UFC Fight Night 257 Prediction and Betting Odds- Hayisaer Maheshate vs Gauge Young Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Every UFC card needs its proving ground fights, where hungry prospects battle to stay relevant. UFC Shanghai delivers exactly that with Maheshate Hayisaer facing Gauge Young in what many consider a crossroads bout. Both lightweights enter this contest knowing their UFC futures hang in the balance. And usually, most desperate fighters produce the most entertaining scraps.

Maheshate burst onto the scene with that spectacular knockout of Steve Garcia back in 2022. But UFC success requires more than highlight-reel moments, and the Chinese fighter has struggled to find consistency since then. Young represents the grinder’s path to UFC recognition, taking short notice fights and earning his opportunities through pure grit rather than flashy finishes.

Hayisaer Maheshate vs Gauge Young Preview

Maheshate stands 6’0″ with a 71 inch reach and possesses legitimate knockout power when he connects cleanly. His career record shows 10 wins against 4 losses, but his UFC struggles become apparent in the striking statistics. Landing just 3.86 significant strikes per minute with a concerning 29% accuracy rate, Maheshate clearly prioritizes power over volume in his approach.

Gauge Young stands at 5’9″ with his 70 inch reach. He throws 4.83 significant strikes per minute with much better 48% accuracy. However, his defensive numbers reveal serious vulnerabilities, absorbing 6.53 significant strikes per minute with only 44% strike defense. Young’s strategy seems built around outlanding opponents rather than avoiding damage, which creates exciting but dangerous fights.

Both fighters share one glaring weakness that makes this matchup particularly intriguing. Neither man attempts takedowns in their UFC careers, with both averaging zero takedown attempts per fight. Their takedown defense numbers sit at 45% for Maheshate and 64% for Young, suggesting neither has faced serious wrestling pressure recently.

Hayisaer Maheshate vs Gauge Young MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers have made up their mind on this matchup. According to FanDuel, they have installed Gauge Young as a slight -138 favorite. Meanwhile, Hayisaer Maheshate comes back at +118. These tight odds reflect the uncertainty surrounding both fighters’ current form and abilities.

The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is lower and the odds (+104) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at -130.

Hayisaer Maheshate vs Gauge Young Predictions And Picks

This matchup boils down to whether Maheshate can land his big shots before Young overwhelms him with volume. The Chinese fighter’s striking accuracy creates serious concerns about his ability to implement any coherent game plan. Meanwhile, Young’s defensive vulnerabilities mean he will absorb significant damage while trying to outwork his opponent.

Young’s recent performances suggest he understands how to grind out decision victories even when taking punishment. His willingness to take the Evan Elder fight on short notice demonstrates the kind of professional attitude that often leads to unexpected victories. Maheshate’s home crowd advantage in Shanghai could provide emotional fuel, but emotions don’t fix accuracy problems.

If we bet on the fight, we are going with Gauge Young to win via unanimous decision.

(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)

(Image Credit: William Purnell – Imagn Images)

Gauge Young

Hayisaer Maheshate

UFC Shanghai

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!