Kelvin Gastelum landed a massive victory to earn his way back into the win column at UFC Saudi Arabia, but viewers were not so pleased.
The former interim middleweight title contender was due to face career-welterweight Daniel Rodriguez at 170lb at UFC Saudi Arabia tonight. But after admitting to a difficult weight cut in camp, his opponent accepted a last-minute change of plans and the weight class was shifted to 185lb.
Gastelum eventually tipped the scales at 184.5lb, and looked fit and ready for three hard rounds as he took Rodriguez the distance. Ultimately, Gastelum took the unanimous decision in a return to form, but fans were unimpressed with his showing throughout the week.
- LOSER GOES HOME: Kelvin Gastelum fears a loss at UFC Saudi Arabia could end his career in the promotion
Kelvin Gastelum beats Daniel Rodriguez by unanimous decision after massive weight change
American Kelvin Gastelum has spent his career jumping between middleweight and welterweight. When he missed the 170lb limit twice in a row, he made the move back up to 185lb, but after losing five of seven fights run he moved back down, losing to Sean Brady after beating the scales.
But he admitted earlier this week that he was struggling to make the limit for his meeting with Rodriguez, who agreed to a late-notice weight division move. His opponent hadn’t fought up at middleweight since his professional debut, and was already at 179lb in his cut before being asked to move back up.
And that issue with weight appeared to affect Rodriguez on the night in Saudi Arabia as Gastelum powered forward. He pushed the pressure from bell to bell, and was able to avoid gassing out over an intensive three rounds.
Over the course of the 15 minutes Rodriguez landed some heavy punches on Gastelum. But his chin was able to stand up to the best of them as he stayed on his feet.
However, fans were calling for him to be cut from the promotion after the victory, given his farcical mismanagement of the weight situation. Rodriguez had been out of the cage for over a year after his TKO loss to Ian Machado Garry, and is now on a dangerous three-fight skid without a win in two years.
Fans rage at Kelvin Gastelum after he beats Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Saudi Arabia
The fight week weight struggle was one of the big stories heading into tonight’s UFC debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rodriguez was forced into accepting the late-notice change by nature of not having fought for over a year, and ultimately paid the price with yet another loss.
When the UFC posted the result on their X page, fans were clear with their disdain towards the performance. One wrote: “Kelvin Gastleum, we are not impressed. Tubby.” While another added: “Bro really shot for takedowns after the weight fiasco. L.”
Another expressed their annoyance that he wasn’t punished further for ‘missing weight’, which technically he didn’t due to the late divisional change. “I think you should lose a point if you don’t make weight,” they wrote.
Others felt that the result should even be overturned, given the likely massive disparity in weight on the night. If Rodriguez had gotten as low as 179lb during the week while Gastelum had to cut to make 184.5lb, it is expected that their difference in the octagon could have been as much as 20lb.
“DRod fought a 30lb heavier Gastelum and he lost because of it,” one angry viewer wrote, before suggesting that the promotion. “Cut the refrigerator and give DRod the win.”
Dana White unhappy with Kelvin Gastelum over yet another weight issue
UFC CEO Dana White was one of Gastelum’s many detractors, noting that the former title contender has now had three ‘weight misses’ for all intents and purposes in his promotional career. White spoke with the media after the fact, and admitted that he was unsure what to do next with the fighter.
“I don’t know,” White replied when asked if he was staying at middleweight following yet another issue. “I’m not thrilled with Kelvin Gastelum right now. This kid’s missed weight three times in his career now.”
White also noted that other fighters such as main event saviour Ikram Aliskerov had managed to tip the scales correctly, even after taking their bouts on incredibly short notice. “You’ve got kids taking fights on a week’s notice jumping off cards,” he noted.
“They’re coming over here and making weight and Kelvin doesn’t make weight? It is extremely disappointing.”
- FIREWORKS AND FRUSTRATION: Where does Kelvin Gastelum go from here?