UFC middleweight Kelvin Gastelum has a long history of tribulations with making weight for fights, as he was cut out of UFC 205 over weigh-in complications. In response, Dana White nearly swore Gastelum away from the 170 lbs division for good.
It would appear Gastelum’s trials are not over yet. Rumors and questions concerning Gastelum’s ability to drop back to the 170 lbs division are beginning to bubble up and stir. With a recent win over UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy and a 2015 victory over Nate Marquardt, it doesn’t seem readily apparent that Gastelum needs to drop weight. And, it seems to be bothering him.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Gastelum said, “It does bother me. But at the same time, I’ve brought it onto myself. I have to face the consequences on a media standpoint now. It does bother me. It bothers me a lot. But I have to take it. I’m not one of those guys who shies away from his problems. I like to handle it upfront and kind of grab the bull by the horns.”
Now set to fight two time UFC champion Vitor Belfort at 185 lbs, Gastelum has a lot on his plate. But, he has a lot of opportunity.
Gastelum said, “It’s not a definite that I’m going back down. I’m going to weigh my options after this fight. I could stay at middleweight if a fight that I think interests me is given to me, or I’ll go back down and ask for a No. 1 contender. Because I want to fight for the belt in either division.”
If Gastelum can get a victory at UFC Fight Night 106, against Belfort, then he may very well earn a shot at the gold.
Middleweight or welterweight, Kelvin Gastelum has a lot on his plate. He has a lot of pressure. And, he has a lot of opportunity for championship bouts.
“I take it one fight at a time, but I want to be champ now. I think I can be champion now. I think it’s time. I think it’s time for me to really go on a mission for gold.” Gastelum decreed.
Kelvin Bastelum is set to fight UFC legend Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106 on March 11, 2017 at 185 lbs.
