Shakiel Mahjouri for MMA Mania
Kelvin Gastelum is down to scrap with Jared Cannonier, just not on such short notice.
Kelvin Gastelum is unwilling to take a fight with Jared Cannonier on just a few days notice.
Gastelum is scheduled to face Darren Till at UFC 244 this weekend (Sat., Nov. 2, 2019) but “The Gorilla’s” trip to the United States has been delayed. Till missed Wednesday’s open workouts and he will not be present at Thursday’s media day. Jared Cannonier has been called in as back-up should Till not make it, but Gastelum is not interested in playing out that scenario.
“I just don’t think it’s fair to me to take that fight on two days notice,” Gastelum told MMAmania.com and other media at a scrum following his open workout. “Of course I will fight anybody, but give me time to prepare for that person.”
Israel Adesanya was expected to defend his newly won undisputed middleweight title against Paulo Costa. News of Costa’s injury has brought Yoel Romero to the forefront of title contention and has arguably moved Gastelum up the queue.
“100 percent,” he said. “I think a win over Till could guarantee me a title shot. Not for sure, but I’m pretty positive if I go out there and put a stamp on Darren that title shot is inevitable.”
UFC 244 is headlined by Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz. Other key bouts include Stephen Thompson vs. Vicente Luque, Kevin Lee vs. Gregor Gillespie and Derrick Lewis vs. Blagoy Ivanov.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 244 fight card this weekend RIGHT HERE, starting with the Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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