Interim UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya will officially meet undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at October’s UFC 243. Although the anticipated unification fight doesn’t yet have a location, one of 2019’s most int…
Interim UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya will officially meet undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker at October’s UFC 243. Although the anticipated unification fight doesn’t yet have a location, one of 2019’s most interesting UFC fights is still official. ‘The Last Stylebender’ and ‘The Reaper’ were both in attendance for today’s UFC Summer press conference. Adesanya […]
Kelvin Gastelum has received the all clear from doctors to return to fighting action. The former interim UFC middleweight title challenger took to Twitter and revealed that doctors have cleared him to fight and return to training at 100 percent effort: “I’m a lil too excited! Lol The Dr. just cleared me to fight and […]
Kelvin Gastelum has received the all clear from doctors to return to fighting action.
The former interim UFC middleweight title challenger took to Twitter and revealed that doctors have cleared him to fight and return to training at 100 percent effort:
“I’m a lil too excited! Lol The Dr. just cleared me to fight and start training 100% After the war I had with stylebender I had to make sure to take time off and make sure when I get cleared, I was physically, brand spankin new. 11 weeks later that day is here!!”
In a follow-up Tweet, Gastelum revealed that he is eying a November return date:
“11 weeks later that day has come and I’m ready to start looking for a return date! And my eyes are set for November. I want to thank you all for the continued support! Let’s continue this mission for gold!”
Finally, in a third Tweet, Gastelum revealed he believes a fight with rising contender Jack Hermansson is the fight to make:
“My time table for my return inside the octagon is November. No doubt about it. @jackthejokermma is the fight to make.”
Hermansson has been on an amazing run as of late. The 31-year-old is currently on a four-fight win streak, and has showcased some tremendous grappling ability. In his last outing, “The Joker” earned a unanimous decision victory over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in the main event of UFC Florida back in April.
Since, Hermansson has been searching for a notable opponent to get him in the title conversation. Gastelum could certainly be that man. In his last fight, the former “Ultimate Fighter” winner came up short against Israel Adesanya for the interim 185-pound title. A victory over a rising contender in Hermansson could shorten his own road back to the title.
Do you think a fight between Hermansson and Gastelum makes sense at this stage?
Kelvin Gastelum has received some good news and he feels a bout with Jack Hermansson before 2019 comes to a close is the way to go. Gastelum is coming off a “Fight of the Year” candidate against Israel Adesanya at UFC 236. The two battled f…
Kelvin Gastelum has received some good news and he feels a bout with Jack Hermansson before 2019 comes to a close is the way to go. Gastelum is coming off a “Fight of the Year” candidate against Israel Adesanya at UFC 236. The two battled for the interim UFC middleweight gold. Adesanya won the bout […]
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is clearly looking to make up for lost time. A host of performance-enhancing drug issues left him on the sidelines from July 2017 to December 2018. The controversial MMA legend regained the title by dominating A…
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is clearly looking to make up for lost time. A host of performance-enhancing drug issues left him on the sidelines from July 2017 to December 2018. The controversial MMA legend regained the title by dominating Alexander Gustafsson by TKO at UFC 232. He then defended the belt against Anthony […]
UFC President Dana White is planning yet another massive MMA spectacle in Australia. After re-upping for an additional 10 years with the world’s MMA leader, White recently spearheaded the unveiling of the UFC’s all-new Apex facility in Las …
UFC President Dana White is planning yet another massive MMA spectacle in Australia. After re-upping for an additional 10 years with the world’s MMA leader, White recently spearheaded the unveiling of the UFC’s all-new Apex facility in Las Vegas. There was, of course, a lot to talk about. One of those things was the awaited […]
Ever since his win over Anderson Silva, UFC middleweight Jared Cannonier has struggled to book an opponent. Cannonier made it two finishes in a row since moving down to 185 pounds when he defeated Silva via TKO at UFC 237 last month in Brazil. He had previously knocked out David Branch, and his performances seem […]
Ever since his win over Anderson Silva, UFC middleweight Jared Cannonier has struggled to book an opponent.
Cannonier made it two finishes in a row since moving down to 185 pounds when he defeated Silva via TKO at UFC 237 last month in Brazil. He had previously knocked out David Branch, and his performances seem to have made an impact as he claims he is getting turned down by a number of middleweights.
Appearing on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show on Monday, “The Killa Gorilla” revealed there were even plans for him to headline the upcoming UFC San Antonio card on July 20 — only to be turned down by four middleweights.
“From my perspective, we are all fighters, we all have a job to do,” Cannonier said. “Picking and choosing fights is one thing I’ve never done. I’ll fight whoever comes along. I understand people have to consider their career if they want to get to a title shot and all that stuff, but, you know, in this division if you want to get to a title shot, you’re gonna have to meet me eventually.
“The longer you wait, the worse it’s going to be. So you better come see me now or wait until it’s going to be damn near impossible to beat me.”
Cannonier Wants Gastelum
In the end, the UFC decided to book a welterweight headliner between Rafael dos Anjos and Leon Edwards for the San Antonio card. And to his credit, Cannonier decided not to name any of the four opponents who turned him down. However, he does have one opponent in mind where a win could usher him into a title shot:
“I heard a little birdie tell me that one Kelvin Gastelum is looking to fight at the end or the middle of September, I think in Mexico City,” Cannonier added. “So that would be a good fight. That fight would put me closer to a title shot.
“[Israel] Adesanya just fought him, beat him for the interim title. So he’s next in line. But before that, Adesanya fought Anderson. I beat Anderson in a more impressive fashion.“
Gastelum is coming off a back-and-forth war with Adesanya at UFC 236 in April. However, he should be raring to go by September. Cannonier is not the only one who wants him, though, as the likes of Jack Hermansson and Ronaldo Souza have also called out the former welterweight.