Shane Young Record: 13-8-0

UFC tenure

Young's Octagon debut in November 2017 was a baptism by fire: he dropped a decision to Alexander Volkanovski, the future two-division champion, in a fight that signaled Young could hang with elite competition even in defeat. He bounced back emphatically in June 2018, stopping Rolando Dy with elbows and punches in the second round at UFC Fight Night 132 for his first UFC win. He made it two straight in February 2019, outpointing Austin Arnett by decision on the UFC 234 card.

Later UFC run

The back half of Young's UFC stint proved tougher. In September 2020 he was stopped by Ľudovít Klein with a first-round head kick and punches, then dropped a decision to Omar Morales in March 2021. After a layoff he returned in February 2023 to a decision loss against Blake Bilder, and that September was submitted by Gabriel Miranda via first-round rear-naked choke at UFC 293.

Fighting style

Young is a finisher first, with a 77% finish rate built on a balanced arsenal – six of his 13 wins come by knockout and four by submission, with only three going to the scorecards. That split reflects the City Kickboxing blueprint: heavy, accurate striking up top paired with opportunistic grappling, including the rear-naked choke he has shown on the regional scene. His best performances showcase aggression and fight-ending instinct, while his UFC losses, several by decision, point to the fine margins he has faced against higher-level competition and the durability of the opponents who took him the distance.

Career highlights

• First UFC victory — stopped Rolando Dy with elbows and punches in the second round at UFC Fight Night 132 to break into the win column on the sport's biggest stage.
• City Kickboxing pedigree — built his career at Auckland's City Kickboxing alongside world champions, sharpening the striking that defines his style.
• Tested against the elite — went the distance with future two-division champion Alexander Volkanovski in his UFC debut, proving he belonged among contenders.