Within two months, Young went from being an unknown to fighting Gina Carano in the #3 most watched match in MMA TV history.

Young has an impressive resume inside and outside of the ring and was looking to gain momentum in women's MMA.  In the midst of training for her fight, ELITEXC closed it's doors and left many fighters hanging, hoping and waiting for a response.

Kaitlin, after all that has happened with EliteXC, what's going through your mind?
I'm really just trying to figure out where to go from here. I am not completely sure of my contract status as of right now and probably wont know until the 20th of November.

I understand that you had family and friends who purchase plane tickets to see you fight Sara Kaufman
Yes. Some of my friends had already purchased airline tickets to come and see the fight in Reno. I then found out on the internet that it had been canceled less than 3 weeks prior to the event.

Did ProElite try to contact you or return calls?
They did not try to contact us at all and did not return my managers phone calls. It wasn't until I called them personally that I was able to speak with anyone about the cancellation. I have not heard from them since.

It seemed that everyone knew it was coming, they just didn't know when. Were you thinking the same?
I had heard the rumors, along with everyone else, that Elite was experiencing financial troubles and might eventually fold. I didn't think that it would cancel three weeks prior to my fight.

It seems like you're a little down on fighting in recent interviews. Is this something you want to keep doing?
I love fighting and want to continue competing. I have not fought in 6 months because of my contract with Elite XC, and have been unable to secure anything for the near future. I am in school full time. Without the potential for income via fighting, I am going to need to consider other options and wont be able to spend as much time in the gym.

I am very close to graduation from the University of Minnesota, and could do so within a semester if I take a hefty class load. I might have to take a break from fighting while I finish that up.

What do you think the current state of women's MMA is?
I feel as though we are floating in the Ether. I think we will know more after the first of the year.

Do some of the other women athletes feel the same way?
I think the women that were with Elite XC probably feel that way. For women who were not fighting for Elite, it is one less outlet and one less competitor in the MMA market. The downfall of Elite XC disproportionately hurt the female side of the sport.

What can be done to turn things around for the women?
I think it is very important that women's fights find their way onto television again. Without exposure professional sports don't do very well.

Are you still planning on attending the HOOKnSHOOT/Gfight Summit in January?
Of course! I wouldn't miss it for the world!

What do you think it will accomplish?
I think it will create networking opportunities for female fighters and create a buzz around the sport. It will be really nice to speak with some of the other women about what they have on the horizon and how they are approaching their careers in the current climate.

What's next for you...any offers or opportunities?
The only offers I have had worth any note were during finals week of school. That figures!

One last question, for the first time the women are being recognized with their own year end awards show.  Who's your pick for Fighter of the Year (female)?
That's a hard one!  I will say Roxanne Modefferi. (Please spell this right for me!)She's super cool, has had a great year and is always improving.
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