Tag: Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer Targeted For UFC Mexico On March 29

The UFC is set to return to Mexico in the first quarter of this year, and the promotion appears to be bringing a former title challenger with it in the form of Kelvin Gastelum. It’s been a difficult few years for Gastelum (19-9, 1 NC). After going 2-5 across a seven-fight run that started with […]

The UFC is set to return to Mexico in the first quarter of this year, and the promotion appears to be bringing a former title challenger with it in the form of Kelvin Gastelum.

It’s been a difficult few years for Gastelum (19-9, 1 NC). After going 2-5 across a seven-fight run that started with his memorable interim championship clash with Israel Adesanya, the 33-year-old most recently experienced a failed return to welterweight.

After being submitted by Sean Brady in late 2023, Gastelum did have his hand raised over Daniel Rodriguez. But owing to a weight miss in Saudi Arabia that left UFC CEO Dana White less than happy, his stock didn’t rise in victory.

Unsurprisingly, the Californian looks to have once again been forced to close the book on his 170-pound plans. And he seems close to being booked for a difficult welcome back to the 185-pound class.

Per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, a clash between Gastelum and the highly touted Joe Pyfer (13-3) is in the works for the UFC Fight Night in Mexico on March 29.

After breaking through in a big way on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Pyfer began Octagon life on the front foot with three straight wins.

But after knocking out Alen Amedovski and Gerald Meerschaert and submitting Abdul Razak Alhassan, “Bodybagz” was unable to get past his toughest test to date, falling via decision to perennial contender Jack Hermansson in an Apex main event last February.

Pyfer, however, wasn’t coming off a defeat for long. He returned to his violent ways during International Fight Week four months later by sleeping Marc-André Barriault. He’ll now look to return to a win streak at Gastelum’s expense.

The addition of Gastelum vs. Pyfer would mark the third bout on the UFC Mexico lineup. Thus far, Edgar Cháirez and Ronaldo Rodríguez both have home country fights set, with the former facing CJ Vergara and the latter dueling Kevin Borjas.

Marc Goddard Names Israel Adesanya Bout As The Greatest He’s Refereed: ‘I’ve Cried After That Fight…’

As a veteran referee, Marc Goddard has been the third man in the Octagon for some of the most iconic UFC fights of all time. He’s seen his fair share of show stealing knockouts, jaw dropping comebacks and epic encounters that fans will talk about for decades to come. During a recent interview with talkSPORT […]

Continue Reading Marc Goddard Names Israel Adesanya Bout As The Greatest He’s Refereed: ‘I’ve Cried After That Fight…’ at MMA News.

As a veteran referee, Marc Goddard has been the third man in the Octagon for some of the most iconic UFC fights of all time.

He’s seen his fair share of show stealing knockouts, jaw dropping comebacks and epic encounters that fans will talk about for decades to come.

During a recent interview with talkSPORT MMA, Goddard spoke about some of the most memorable fights that he has officiated.

Find any interview with the Brit talking about this specific question and he always gives the same answer, taking you back to one night in Atlanta, Georgia.

Marc Goddard Talks About When Israel Adesanya & Kelvin Gastelum Pushed Each Other To The Limit

At UFC 236, the co-main event of the evening was the highlight of the night even when it was followed by Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway 2.

Israel Adesanya met Kelvin Gastelum with the interim middleweight title on the line and the pair produced an all-time classic.

This one will always stand out to Goddard when he looks back on all of the fights that he has played a part in, he said.

“Then number one is, every day of the week, twice on a Sunday, is Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum.

“You find one moment in your life when you think, ‘I’m not going to go away’. In this fight, you had two guys in the exact same moment that wouldn’t go away. I couldn’t believe what I was watching unfold in front of me. I remember that there’s a clip at the beginning of the fifth round and Israel’s looking across him saying, ‘I’m prepared to die.’ Now I didn’t, I’m not looking at this, I’d seen it afterwards but honestly mate, that fight when you got two fighters that went into the deepest, darkest depths of their soul and they went into the deepest, darkest waters imaginable or possible in a fight and I was right alongside them, standing three-foot away, witnessing this unfold.”

Goddard also said that the fight produced an emotional moment both on that night and when he watches the fight back, after seeing how far both men were able to push each other.

“As soon as I know they’re safe, I f****** run off with my head in hands and I won’t be ashamed to say, I’ve cried after that fight watching it back because it was ungodly what those guys did. It was ungodly.”

Read also: Alexander Volkanovski Picks ‘Very Exciting’ Conor McGregor Fight Over Ilia Topuria Rematch

Continue Reading Marc Goddard Names Israel Adesanya Bout As The Greatest He’s Refereed: ‘I’ve Cried After That Fight…’ at MMA News.

5 Fights We Need to See After UFC Fight Night 233

On Saturday night, the UFC returned to Austin, Texas, with UFC Fight Night 233—arguably the best Fight Night card of the year to date. Headlining honours for…

On Saturday night, the UFC returned to Austin, Texas, with UFC Fight Night 233—arguably the best Fight Night card of the year to date. Headlining honours for…

5 Fights We Need to See After UFC Fight Like Hell Night

On Saturday night, the UFC returned to Austin, Texas, with UFC Fight Night 233—arguably the best Fight Night card of the year to date. Headlining honours for…

On Saturday night, the UFC returned to Austin, Texas, with UFC Fight Night 233—arguably the best Fight Night card of the year to date. Headlining honours for…

Sean Brady Submits Kelvin Gastelum in a dominant return to the win column – UFC Austin highlights

Sean BradyWelterweight standout Sean Brady got back into the win column in a big way at UFC Austin on Saturday…

Sean Brady

Welterweight standout Sean Brady got back into the win column in a big way at UFC Austin on Saturday night.

More than a year removed from the first loss of his mixed martial arts career, Brady delivered a dominant performance against former UFC interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum. The TUF alumnus had no answer to Brady’s perfectly-timed takedowns which kept Gastelum in a compromising position for a majority of the contest.

In the third round, Brady scored yet another takedown in the opening seconds and quickly moved into mount. Fishing for an arm triangle, Gastelum worked his way out of the hold but gave up his arm in the process which allowed Brady to snatch the limb and lock in an armbar that forced Gastelum to tap out.

Official Result: Sean Brady def. Kelvin Gastelum via submission (armbar) at 1:43 of Round 3.

Check Out Highlights From Sean Brady vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Austin Below:

Kelvin Gastelum eyes welterweight UFC title siege: I can very well be fighting for a title next year

Kelvin Gastelum eyes welterweight title fight UFC with win over Shavkat RakhmonovUFC welterweight, Kelvin Gastelum expects to be fighting for the title in the very near future.  It has been a rough few years for former interim title challenger, Gastelum, going 2-5 since his legendary fight against Israel Adesanya in April of 2019. However, after a hard-fought win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287 and subsequently […]

Kelvin Gastelum eyes welterweight title fight UFC with win over Shavkat Rakhmonov

UFC welterweight, Kelvin Gastelum expects to be fighting for the title in the very near future. 

It has been a rough few years for former interim title challenger, Gastelum, going 2-5 since his legendary fight against Israel Adesanya in April of 2019. However, after a hard-fought win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287 and subsequently dropping back down to 170lbs, the 31-year-old has a huge opportunity at hand. 

Gastelum will now face No.6 ranked Shavkat Rakhmonov, and a win could catapult him into the title picture. However, Rahkmonov is a serious obstacle to overcome and his 17-0, all stoppages, record should tell you all you need to know. The two will do battle on September 16 on a Fight Night card.

Kelvin Gastelum talks Shavkat Rahkmonov

Talking to The Schmo, Gastelum discussed his upcoming matchup and is perfectly aware of the task ahead, even drawing comparisons to a former opponent.

“I’m actually comparing him to Adesanya,” Gastelum said. “When I fought Adesanya, he was another up-and-coming guy that was undefeated, rising star, kind of similar situation that I’m in now. I’m fighting Rakhmonov, he’s a rising contender, undefeated prospect. Man, this is gonna be a fun fight, a fun challenge for me.” (H/T MMA Mania)

With such a tough battle, will also come great reward and Gastelum knows how much it could do for making his dream of becoming world champion possible.

“I can very well be fighting for the world title next year, that’s the goal,” Gastelum continued. “I win this fight, I feel like I’m fighting the No. 1 contender at Welterweight. I don’t think there’s a clear contender other than Colby [Covington] but Colby’s coming off a win or a loss? I don’t remember. I just don’t see any clear contenders other than Shavkat and Shavkat now has a fight with me.”

If Gastelum is successful, it is very possible that he would only need one more big win to secure himself a title shot. 

Kelvin Gastelum talks with The Schmo

How will Kelvin Gastelum get on with Shavkat Rahkmonov?