March 28, 2024

Kelvin Gastelum wants title contender fight next, whether at welterweight or middleweight

Kelvin Gastelum will either fight at welterweight at middleweight, just to get the next title shot.

Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

TUF 17 alum Kelvin Gastelum is coming off an emphatic first-round knockout win against Michael Bisping in Shanghai, China last November. As he now plans for his return in May, he is only looking at a number one contender fight for his next option, whether at middleweight or welterweight.

”Just the fight that will get me to the title shot,” Gastelum said on a recent episode of ESPN’s 5ive Rounds podcast. “That’s the fight I want. I know I probably won’t get a title shot next, but I want to fight the No. 1 contender.”

”If it’s at welterweight, I will make the cut. The cut is dreadful and the diet is extreme, but if it’s worth it, I will do it.”

If he were to continue with his middleweight run, Gastelum wants to be back in action at UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro against Ronaldo Souza. His only issue, however, is dealing with the Brazilian Athletic Commission.

”I would love to fight in Rio, and obviously a fight with Jacare would propel me to where I want to go. I’m scared of that commission. I don’t know what to think of the commission,” Gastelum said.

”I should probably talk to someone in the commission or [UFC vice president of regulatory affairs] Marc Ratner. Hopefully, he’d keep me safe and nothing happens to my [drug] samples. I just don’t know what to think of the commission over there.”

UFC 224 is scheduled to take place on May 12th. As of this posting, no headliner fight has been made official for the card.

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