Tag: Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum accepts ‘Sink or swim’ fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov in expected welterweight return

Kelvin Gastelum accepts call out from Shavkat Rakhmonov in UFC welterweight returnFormer UFC title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is ready to take on one of the UFC’s brightest prospects in what is a ‘sink or swim’ fight. Following his win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287, Gastelum announce that he would be moving down a  weight class. Listed at only 5’9, Gastelum always seemed more suited for […]

Kelvin Gastelum accepts call out from Shavkat Rakhmonov in UFC welterweight return

Former UFC title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is ready to take on one of the UFC’s brightest prospects in what is a ‘sink or swim’ fight.

Following his win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287, Gastelum announce that he would be moving down a  weight class. Listed at only 5’9, Gastelum always seemed more suited for the 170lb limit, but weight issues forced him to move up to middleweight.

At first, Gastelum enjoyed success at 185lbs, defeating the likes of Tim Kennedy, Michael Bisping and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, leading up to his eventual interim title fight with Israel Adesanya. Unfortunately for Gastelum, since that epic battle with ‘Stylebender’ he has went 2-5, making him reconsider his weight class.

Kelvin Gastelum accepts Shavkat Rakhmonov fight

Never in the habit of taking easy fights, Gastelum has wasted no time in going for one of the best up-and-comers that welterweight has to offer. Undefeated 17-0 (all stoppage wins) Shavkat Rakhmonov has torn his way through welterweight and recently sent a call out to Gastelum via Twitter.

Of course accepting Gastelum sees it as a huge opportunity to get him towards a title, he took to his YouTube channel to explain more.

“My Twitter was going off, All of a sudden, I see a tweet from Shavkat Rakhmonov,” Gastelum said. “I thought it was interesting. I like the callout. I appreciate the callout. I like the fight. I mean, these are the kind of fights that I want in the welterweight division. This puts me right in the mix, swimming with the sharks. It’s either sink of swim.

“This puts me up there with some really fun fights given I win this, which I will,” continued Gastelum. “Officially, I accept the challenge… Not only that, I’ll give you a date. Dana (White) was talking about doing a huge Mexican Independence Day event in Las Vegas, which happens to be September 16… Me, being an outstanding Mexican-American, I would gladly represent where my people have come from… Let’s get it on. I accept Shavkat.” (H/T MMA News)

Kelvin Gastelum talks Rakhmonov bout

Who wins, Kelvin Gastelum or Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Ex-Title challenger Kelvin Gastelum plans UFC welterweight return, targets September fight

Kelvin Gastelum plans welterweight return UFC comeback in September fightFormer interim UFC middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is reportedly targeting both a return to the Octagon as soon as September – as well as a return to the welterweight division for the first time since 2016.  Gastelum, the current #11 ranked middleweight contender, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 287 earlier […]

Kelvin Gastelum plans welterweight return UFC comeback in September fight

Former interim UFC middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum is reportedly targeting both a return to the Octagon as soon as September – as well as a return to the welterweight division for the first time since 2016. 

Gastelum, the current #11 ranked middleweight contender, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure at UFC 287 earlier this month in Miami, Florida – landing a close, unanimous decision win over Chris Curtis in a Fight of the Night earning effort.

Winning The Ultimate Fighter 17 back in April 2013 with a decision win over Uriah Hall at the middleweight limit, Gastelum fought for an interim division title back in April 2019, pushing current champion, Israel Adesanya the distance in a heralded Fight of the Year decision loss to the Nigerian-Kiwi striker.

Making excursions in welterweight scheduled fights on seven occasions during his Octagon return, San Jose native, Gastelum missed the welterweight non-title limit of 171 pounds – twice missing weight in notably difficult cuts to the division for him.

Kelvin Gastelum eyes welterweight UFC return in September

However, as per an initial report from ESPN reporter, Carlos Contreras Legaspi, Gastelum – who had targeted a recent fight with Dricus du Plessis, is set for a welterweight division return, as he targets his next Octagon outing for September of this year.

“Kelvin Gastelum told us he is coming back to welterweight, UFC executives agreed with the move and he expects to get a fight in September,” Legaspi tweeted. “He also said he will work with Dana White’s nutritionist to make the move.”

During his tenure at the welterweight limit under the UFC banner, Gastelum landed victories over Rick Story, Jake Ellenberger, Nate Marquardt, and Johnny Hendricks. Furthermore, since his welterweight exit, Gastelum has defeated the likes of Tim Kennedy, Jacare Souza, and former middleweight champion, Michael Bisping. 

Kelvin Gastelum suggests title-Eliminator against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290 in July

Kelvin Gastelum calls for summer fight with Dricus du Plessis UFC 290With both vying for a middleweight championship fight against Israel Adesanya, Kelvin Gastelum has suggested himself and South African contender, Dricus du Plessis should share the Octagon during International Fight Week in July at UFC 290, in a division championship eliminator. Himself recently featuring at UFC 287 earlier this month on the preliminary card of […]

Kelvin Gastelum calls for summer fight with Dricus du Plessis UFC 290

With both vying for a middleweight championship fight against Israel Adesanya, Kelvin Gastelum has suggested himself and South African contender, Dricus du Plessis should share the Octagon during International Fight Week in July at UFC 290, in a division championship eliminator.

Himself recently featuring at UFC 287 earlier this month on the preliminary card of the flagship event, one-time interim title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since 2021 with a unanimous decision win over Chris Curtis.

As for du Plessis, the Pethora native extended his promotional-perfect Octagon run to five straight fights with a second round corner’s stoppage TKO victory over Derek Brunson at UFC 285 back in March. The victory propelled du Plessis to #6 in the official middleweight ranks.

Kelvin Gastelum eyes summer fight with Dricus du Plessis

Calling for a championship rematch against the above-mentioned, Adesanya off the back of his victory over Curtis in the ‘Sunshine State’ – Gastelum, who pushed the City Kickboxing staple the distance back in their 2019 interim title showdown, called for a title-eliminator against former KSW titleholder, du Plessis this summer.

“Title eliminator vs @dricusduplessis on July 8.” Kelvin Gastelum tweeted. “What do you say Dricus? @OneAmission4Gold.” 

Reportedly eying a return to the Octagon before the close of this summer, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya entertained the possibility of fighting the above-mentioned, du Plessis, after he reclaimed the middleweight crown with a thunderous second round KO win over Alex Pereira at UFC 287 two weeks ago. 

Furthermore, Adesanya’s head coach, Eugene Bareman suggested his student compete for light heavyweight gold against Jamahal Hill in his next Octagon affair, however, the potential matchup has been scoffed at and branded “stupid” and a “waste of time” by former UFC title challenger, Chael Sonnen.

Kelvin Gastelum plans title rematch with Israel Adesanya after UFC 287 win: ‘People want to see that fight’

Kelvin Gastelum plans title rematch with Israel Adesanya UFC 287Returning to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since February 2021, former interim middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum has suggested a potential title re-run with newly minted undisputed gold holder, Israel Adesanya in the future. Featuring in a featured preliminary bout at UFC 287 last weekend in Miami, Florida – former interim middleweight title […]

Kelvin Gastelum plans title rematch with Israel Adesanya UFC 287

Returning to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since February 2021, former interim middleweight title challenger, Kelvin Gastelum has suggested a potential title re-run with newly minted undisputed gold holder, Israel Adesanya in the future.

Featuring in a featured preliminary bout at UFC 287 last weekend in Miami, Florida – former interim middleweight title challenger, Gastelum managed to take home a close, unanimous decision victory over Chris Curtis.

Snapping a two-fight losing skid to former undisputed champion, Robert Whittaker, and one-time title challenger, Jared Cannonier, Gastelum, who sits at #11 in the official division rankings following UFC 287, most recently defeated Ian Heinisch prior to his judging win over Curtis. 

Kelvin Gastelum weighs up rematch with Israel Adesanya

And off the back of his decision win, San Jose native, Gastelum claimed he would be foolish not to pursue a final title push, and furthermore, a rematch with Adesanya.

“We got the win, mission accomplished for now,” Kelvin Gastelum said following UFC 287 on his YouTube channel. “I’m back on my feet. This is like I said, the renaissance of K.G. I’m ready to take it to another level. I’m ready to go all the way this time. All the way to the belt. Maybe a rematch with Izzy (Israel Adesanya), who knows? That’s the goal, why not?”

“People want to see that fight [rematch],” Kelvin Gastelum explained. “I want to be champion. I’m not just saying that just to say it, I mean that. So, that’s where I’m working towards. I’m talking to my manager about what the next steps are.”

Initially sharing the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 236 back in April 2019, Gastelum suffered a unanimous decision loss to Adesanya, despite pushing the City Kickboxing staple the distance and to his limit over the course of five rounds.

Headlining UFC 287 last weekend, Adesanya reclaimed his undisputed middleweight title against Brazilian rival, Alex Pereira – capturing the crown with a second round knockout win. 

Kelvin Gastelum-Chris Curtis fight booked for UFC 287

Kelvin Gastelum, Chris Curtis, UFC 287Kelvin Gastelum and Chris Curtis are scheduled for a middleweight fight on April 8 at UFC 287. The fight was originally reported by Alex Behunin.  Gastelum(16-8-1 NC) is looking to bounce back from back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker. He was originally slated to headline the first event of the year […]

Kelvin Gastelum, Chris Curtis, UFC 287

Kelvin Gastelum and Chris Curtis are scheduled for a middleweight fight on April 8 at UFC 287. The fight was originally reported by Alex Behunin. 

Gastelum(16-8-1 NC) is looking to bounce back from back-to-back unanimous decision losses to Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker. He was originally slated to headline the first event of the year against Nassourdine Imavov but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a mouth injury. Since competing for the interim middleweight title against Israel Adesanya in 2019, Gastelum has gone 1-5 in his last six fights. Now, the former middleweight title contender is booked to compete in his first fight of 2023.  

Curtis (30-9) last competed at UFC 282, where he secured a second-round knockout over Joaquin Buckley. He’s 9-1 in his last 10 fights. He has UFC wins over Buckley, Rodolfo Vieira, Brendan Allen, and Phil Hawes. The No.14 middleweight will be looking for a better spot in the rankings with a win over No.13 Gastelum. 

The location and venue of the April pay-per-view has not been announced by the UFC.