Kelvin Gastelum has no interest in being a middleweight traveler.
That’s why the former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) champ dropped his position at 185 pounds and returned to the welterweight division later this year, despite previous struggles to reach the 170-pound mark earlier in his career.
I hope he checks with Dana White before he makes up his mind.
“This is a second chance,” said Gastelum. “This is a renaissance in my career. This is a rebirth. Before, I was young, I was stupid, I was stupid, undisciplined, but now that I’m older, I hope I’m more mature and smarter, hopefully.”
Read his full statement here.
Gastelum (18-8, 1 NC) may end up regretting that decision after being called out by undefeated welterweight sensation Shavkat Rakhmonov. The 28-year-old “Nomad” is a perfect 17-0 and has finished all 17 of his opponents with a knockout or submission.
Including battle-tested veterans Neil Magney and Jeff Neal.
Gastelum has not yet responded.
The 31-year-old former middleweight is coming off a sloppy win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287 last month, but he hasn’t won back-to-back fights in over five years. It remains to be seen how the promotion books his £170 return, but Rakhmonov appears ready to go.