Kelvin Gastelum
USA
Late surge is not enough
Gastelum lost to Joe Pyfer via unanimous decision (28-29, 27-29, 27-30) at UFC 316 on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey.
ANALYSIS
The fact Gastelum was able to survive Round 1, let alone have enough energy to win Round 3, is amazing. Sadly, he did nowhere near enough offensively to take a decision. Known as one of the must durable fighters in the history of the sport, Kelvin survived a pair of knockdowns in the opening frame. He was considerably more competitive as the fight progressed, but part of that was the result of Pyfer's baffling inactivity. It's not as if Gastelum floored the gas pedal. Set to turn 34 years of age in late-October, Kelvin has alternated wins and losses in his past four fights. If the UFC isn't going to be careful regarding the level of opponent it matches him up against, and there's no evidence that will be the case, Gastelum is likely to hover around the .500 mark moving forward.
The fact Gastelum was able to survive Round 1, let alone have enough energy to win Round 3, is amazing. Sadly, he did nowhere near enough offensively to take a decision. Known as one of the must durable fighters in the history of the sport, Kelvin survived a pair of knockdowns in the opening frame. He was considerably more competitive as the fight progressed, but part of that was the result of Pyfer's baffling inactivity. It's not as if Gastelum floored the gas pedal. Set to turn 34 years of age in late-October, Kelvin has alternated wins and losses in his past four fights. If the UFC isn't going to be careful regarding the level of opponent it matches him up against, and there's no evidence that will be the case, Gastelum is likely to hover around the .500 mark moving forward.
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Pyfer bout rebooked
Gastelum will take on Joe Pyfer in a welterweight bout at UFC 316 in Newark, Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
These two were originally slated to square off at UFC Mexico on March 29, but the bout was scrapped from the card due to Pyfer coming down with an illness. Now, the two welterweights are re-booked for June 7. Gastelum will be looking to make it three wins in his last four fights.
These two were originally slated to square off at UFC Mexico on March 29, but the bout was scrapped from the card due to Pyfer coming down with an illness. Now, the two welterweights are re-booked for June 7. Gastelum will be looking to make it three wins in his last four fights.
Pyfer bout cancelled
Gastelum will no longer face Joe Pyfer in a welterweight bout at UFC Mexico on March 29 due to the latter coming down with an illness, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Gastelum has gone 2-1 over his last three bouts, but he'll need to wait a little while longer to look to add to his win total in the UFC. With Pfyer coming down with whatever sickness is ailing him so close to the fight, the UFC had no time to find a replacement and the bout has been called off all together.
Gastelum has gone 2-1 over his last three bouts, but he'll need to wait a little while longer to look to add to his win total in the UFC. With Pfyer coming down with whatever sickness is ailing him so close to the fight, the UFC had no time to find a replacement and the bout has been called off all together.
Draws Pyfer in Mexico
Gastelum will fight Joe Pyfer at UFC Mexico on March 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Gastelum won his only fight of 2024 against Daniel Rodriguez and is 2-1 in his last three, but the 33-year-old could have a tougher time taking down Pyfer, who has won four of his first five UFC bouts.
Gastelum won his only fight of 2024 against Daniel Rodriguez and is 2-1 in his last three, but the 33-year-old could have a tougher time taking down Pyfer, who has won four of his first five UFC bouts.
Leans on wrestling in victory
Gastelum defeated Daniel Rodriguez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
It should have been a quality win for Gastelum, but as has been the case far too often in his career, his performance was overshadowed by a poor weight cut. Kelvin's cut was such a disaster that this went from a welterweight fight to a middleweight bout in the span of a couple days. Rodriguez, wanting to fight, agreed to the change, and Kelvin went out and won, mostly on the strength of his grappling. Gastelum landed four takedowns, his first in a fight since 2021. He then made a passionate apology to UFC President Dana White and the brass in his post-fight interview. Even with the win, Gastelum is just 3-6 in his past nine fights, so there's zero guarantee the company will continue to put up with the weight cutting issues despite the victory here.
It should have been a quality win for Gastelum, but as has been the case far too often in his career, his performance was overshadowed by a poor weight cut. Kelvin's cut was such a disaster that this went from a welterweight fight to a middleweight bout in the span of a couple days. Rodriguez, wanting to fight, agreed to the change, and Kelvin went out and won, mostly on the strength of his grappling. Gastelum landed four takedowns, his first in a fight since 2021. He then made a passionate apology to UFC President Dana White and the brass in his post-fight interview. Even with the win, Gastelum is just 3-6 in his past nine fights, so there's zero guarantee the company will continue to put up with the weight cutting issues despite the victory here.
More weight cutting issues
Gastelum's scheduled matchup against Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday will now be contested at middleweight, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gastelum has a long history of issues making the 170-pound welterweight limit, which eventually forced him to move up to middleweight -- a division he is a bit undersized in. He did successfully make welterweight for his December 2 loss to Sean Brady, and while this bout was originally scheduled for welterweight, Gastelum's camp noted early that he would be unable to make that weight, or even make a catchweight limit of 180 pounds. Fortunately for Gastelum, Rodriguez agreed to allow the bout to be contested at middleweight. Even with the shake-up and weight-cutting concerns, Gastelum remains roughly a (-230) betting favorite for the matchup as of Thursday afternoon.
Gastelum has a long history of issues making the 170-pound welterweight limit, which eventually forced him to move up to middleweight -- a division he is a bit undersized in. He did successfully make welterweight for his December 2 loss to Sean Brady, and while this bout was originally scheduled for welterweight, Gastelum's camp noted early that he would be unable to make that weight, or even make a catchweight limit of 180 pounds. Fortunately for Gastelum, Rodriguez agreed to allow the bout to be contested at middleweight. Even with the shake-up and weight-cutting concerns, Gastelum remains roughly a (-230) betting favorite for the matchup as of Thursday afternoon.