IN the feature bout for the FS1 preliminary card for UFC 171, TUF 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum took on Rick Story in a welterweight match. Gastelum took an early lead as he marked up Story through the first round. However, Story was able to come back and earn a near finish in the second. The final round went back and forth but it was Gastelum who got the nod to take the split decision.
Gastelum opened up a cut early in the first round. Gastelum stayed on the outside not letting the smaller Story close the distance. just after the halfway point, Kelvin landed a big head kick that hurt his opponent and followed him to the mat with ground strikes. Story was able to recover and eventually return to his feet. Big straight left from Gastelum found it’s mark.
Story started finding his range early in the second round. In the first few exhanges he was able to duck under Gastelum’s jab and release a quick series of hooks. Gastelum slowed down and stopped overcommitting. Not a lot of big blows landed for either fighter, but both able to land from range. A double jab from Gastelum returned quickly by Story. Story lands a big hook that rocked Gastelum. Kelvin backed up to the cage before planting and trying to throw back. Story hit him with another big blow that dropped the TUF winner. He wasn’t able to finish the fight before the end of the round.
They continued the battle at range in the final round. After a minute in, Gastelum hurt Story and followed him to the mount. He wasn’t able to capitalize and Story was able to reverse. He got into back control threatening the rear naked choke. Gastelum escaped with thirty left. The two both threw wild before the final bell rang.
Kelvin Gastelum picks up the split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29) win over Rick Story