UFC Fight Night 106 results from last night: Vitor Belfort vs Kelvin Gastelum fight recap

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight finishers Vitor Belfort and Kelvin Gastelum clashed last night (March 11, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 106 inside Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Full video highlights here.

The last couple years have been difficult for Belfort. Heading into this match up, Belfort had lost three of his last four fights via knockout, with that sole victory coming over the recently retired Dan Henderson. Opposite a young stud like Gastelum, Belfort needed something major to earn the win.

Alternatively, Gastelum has struggled opposite the scale far more compared to any recent opponent. Undefeated at Middleweight, Gastelum was looking to prove himself a title contender in his second division.

Belfort was fast and aggressive to start the fight, firing good kicks and coming up just short on a quick left hand. Belfort was the first man to get off and land some good shots, but Gastelum earned back his opponent’s respect with a sharp jab that damaged his opponent’s nose.

Moments later, Gastelum dropped his opponent badly with a left hand, and the fight seemed to be over. Belfort unexpectedly recovered and worked back to his feet, but Gastelum put him down a second time with a crisp cross that ended the fight about a minute later.

Belfort didn’t ever completely lose consciousness, but ultimately he was saved from absorbing more damage.

Gastelum was damn fast at Welterweight, but his left hand is shockingly quick and packs an extra bit of pop at 185 lbs. Similar to how Donald Cerrone began to find more success with his hands after moving up a weight class, Gastelum has now secured two violent knockouts in a row largely thanks to his boxing.

In this bout, Gastelum definitely played with fire. Even at nearly 40, Belfort is a quick man with real knockout power, but Gastelum had little to no fear of his opponent’s hands or feet. He stood and exchanged with “The Phenom” with mixed results, but Gastelum then landed his best punches as Belfort circled away and tried to reset.

That speed let him surprise the knockout artist.

Now that Gastelum is a bonafide top 10 contender at 185 lbs., a match up with someone like Robert Whittaker could make a lot of sense. A top five opponent would be the final test necessary to determine if Gastelum is just as dangerous to the Middleweight title picture as he was back at Welterweight.

As for Belfort, retirement is likely imminent. He’s obviously still dangerous, but Belfort has never been the most durable athlete, and that trait is declining as well. He’s now lost four of his last five fights via knockout, so it’s time for him to either stop fighting completely or at least stop facing off with the cream of the crop.

If this is the end, “The Phenom” has truly had a legendary career.

Last night at UFC Fight Night 106, Kelvin Gastelum dominated his opponent in quick fashion. Is Gastelum a future champion at Middleweight?

For complete UFC Fight Night 106 “Belfort vs Gastelum” results and play-by-play, click HERE!

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight finishers Vitor Belfort and Kelvin Gastelum clashed last night (March 11, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 106 inside Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Full video highlights here.

The last couple years have been difficult for Belfort. Heading into this match up, Belfort had lost three of his last four fights via knockout, with that sole victory coming over the recently retired Dan Henderson. Opposite a young stud like Gastelum, Belfort needed something major to earn the win.

Alternatively, Gastelum has struggled opposite the scale far more compared to any recent opponent. Undefeated at Middleweight, Gastelum was looking to prove himself a title contender in his second division.

Belfort was fast and aggressive to start the fight, firing good kicks and coming up just short on a quick left hand. Belfort was the first man to get off and land some good shots, but Gastelum earned back his opponent’s respect with a sharp jab that damaged his opponent’s nose.

Moments later, Gastelum dropped his opponent badly with a left hand, and the fight seemed to be over. Belfort unexpectedly recovered and worked back to his feet, but Gastelum put him down a second time with a crisp cross that ended the fight about a minute later.

Belfort didn’t ever completely lose consciousness, but ultimately he was saved from absorbing more damage.

Gastelum was damn fast at Welterweight, but his left hand is shockingly quick and packs an extra bit of pop at 185 lbs. Similar to how Donald Cerrone began to find more success with his hands after moving up a weight class, Gastelum has now secured two violent knockouts in a row largely thanks to his boxing.

In this bout, Gastelum definitely played with fire. Even at nearly 40, Belfort is a quick man with real knockout power, but Gastelum had little to no fear of his opponent’s hands or feet. He stood and exchanged with “The Phenom” with mixed results, but Gastelum then landed his best punches as Belfort circled away and tried to reset.

That speed let him surprise the knockout artist.

Now that Gastelum is a bonafide top 10 contender at 185 lbs., a match up with someone like Robert Whittaker could make a lot of sense. A top five opponent would be the final test necessary to determine if Gastelum is just as dangerous to the Middleweight title picture as he was back at Welterweight.

As for Belfort, retirement is likely imminent. He’s obviously still dangerous, but Belfort has never been the most durable athlete, and that trait is declining as well. He’s now lost four of his last five fights via knockout, so it’s time for him to either stop fighting completely or at least stop facing off with the cream of the crop.

If this is the end, “The Phenom” has truly had a legendary career.

Last night at UFC Fight Night 106, Kelvin Gastelum dominated his opponent in quick fashion. Is Gastelum a future champion at Middleweight?

For complete UFC Fight Night 106 “Belfort vs Gastelum” results and play-by-play, click HERE!