5 Things You Might Not Know About Kaitlin Young

Kaitlin Young answered when opportunity knocked.

A short-notice substitution for the injured Julia Budd, “The Striking Viking” will challenge two-time defending Professional Fighters League women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison in the PFL 6 main event on Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. Young has rattled off five wins across her past eight outings. However, she finds herself on the rebound following back-to-back losses to Mariana Morais and the aforementioned Budd.

As Young makes final preparations for her upcoming clash with the undefeated Harrison at 155 pounds, here are five things you might not know about her:

1. Humble beginnings provided her foundation.

Young was born in Circle Pines, Minnesota, a small town of roughly 5,000 people situated some 15 miles northeast of Minneapolis. It ranked third on CNBC’s list of “10 Perfect Suburbs” in 2011, based on a “mix of affordable housing, good schools, educated neighbors, low crime, employment and reasonable commutes.”

2. Early returns were glowing.

The taekwondo black belt burst on the mixed martial arts scene as a promising 22-year-old in 2007. Young started her career 4-0 and famously won the HOOKnSHOOT women’s grand prix with three sub-minute finishes on Nov. 24, 2007. Miesha Tate—a future Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce titleholder—was the second of her three victims, bowing to a head kick in just 30 seconds.

3. She does not shy away from switching gears.

Young put her competitive career on hold to join Invicta Fighting Championships as a matchmaker after enduring a five-bout winless streak between April 28, 2012 and Nov. 1, 2014. She returned to the cage a little less than four years later, her sabbatical having lasted nearly 1,400 days.

4. Her travels have been limited.

Only one of Young’s 25 pro bouts has taken place outside the continental United States. She took a unanimous decision from Reina Miura at Rizin Fighting Federation 12 on Aug. 12, 2018 in Nagoya, Japan.

5. She ventures outside the cage.

Young holds a bachelors degree in kinesiology and exercise science from the University of Minnesota. She is licensed in MMA Conditioning Specialization by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.