UFC best betting sites and the best MMA odds and gambling news
Kelvin Gastelum reacts to Johny Hendricks’ sparring comments, confident for UFC 200 matchup
In less than one week, former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum will enter the biggest fight of his young mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
At just 24 years of age, Gastelum will be taking on former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks at UFC 200 on July 9. What makes thing even more hectic for Gastelum is the fact that “Bigg Rigg” is coming off a crushing knockout loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 82, making the former 170-pound king more dangerous than ever.
But despite his impending challenge at UFC 200, Gastelum has been forced to deal with Hendricks outside of the Octagon. Earlier this week, Hendricks commented on a sparring session he had with the youngster, stating that he has figured Gastelum out.
Luckily, Gastelum had a chance to defend his skill set in a recent interview on MMA Junkie Radio.
“It’s like, c’mon man,” said Gastelum. “You beat me up when I was one fight removed from ‘TUF,’ and you were training to be a world champion.”
Just because Gastelum looks like he’s already behind the ball for his upcoming tilt with Hendricks, who believes a sparring session will carry over into the Octagon on July 9, doesn’t mean the TUF star doesn’t enjoy the role.
“I’ve been in this position before, where I feel so comfortable being the underdog and stepping up and taking out whoever’s in front of me,” added Gastelum. “So this, for me, this is the biggest fight of my life. I’m fighting a former champion, and I’m fighting on the biggest card ever.”
“I kind of enjoy spoiling everybody’s thoughts and statistics. I go in there and just do me and get my hand raised and prove everybody wrong? That’s about as sweet as it gets for me.”
In less than one week, former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum will enter the biggest fight of his young mixed martial arts (MMA) career.
At just 24 years of age, Gastelum will be taking on former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks at UFC 200 on July 9. What makes thing even more hectic for Gastelum is the fact that “Bigg Rigg” is coming off a crushing knockout loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC Fight Night 82, making the former 170-pound king more dangerous than ever.
But despite his impending challenge at UFC 200, Gastelum has been forced to deal with Hendricks outside of the Octagon. Earlier this week, Hendricks commented on a sparring session he had with the youngster, stating that he has figured Gastelum out.
Luckily, Gastelum had a chance to defend his skill set in a recent interview on MMA Junkie Radio.
“It’s like, c’mon man,” said Gastelum. “You beat me up when I was one fight removed from ‘TUF,’ and you were training to be a world champion.”
Just because Gastelum looks like he’s already behind the ball for his upcoming tilt with Hendricks, who believes a sparring session will carry over into the Octagon on July 9, doesn’t mean the TUF star doesn’t enjoy the role.
“I’ve been in this position before, where I feel so comfortable being the underdog and stepping up and taking out whoever’s in front of me,” added Gastelum. “So this, for me, this is the biggest fight of my life. I’m fighting a former champion, and I’m fighting on the biggest card ever.”
“I kind of enjoy spoiling everybody’s thoughts and statistics. I go in there and just do me and get my hand raised and prove everybody wrong? That’s about as sweet as it gets for me.”
