Prediction: Gauge Young via Decision
Maheshate is a tall, rangy striker who throws with real intent and doesn’t just spam the same stuff — he’s got some sneaky, misleading strikes that can catch you if you get too comfortable. Add in the fact that he works at a steady volume, and Young is going to have to stay locked in the whole time. The reason I still lean Young is that his pace is a real weapon. He’s mostly a hands-first guy, but he mixes things up just enough to keep you from dialing in on one attack. He’s also tough to take down and tends to absorb shots better than Maheshate, which means in a war of attrition, the edge is his. That said, the danger here is real — Maheshate’s length and tricky timing can steal moments, and if Young gets sloppy coming in, it could swing quick. I’m picking Young to outwork him over the course of the fight, but this is one of those matchups where you keep your bet size small