Kelvin Gastelum and Daniel Rodriguez locked horns at UFC Saudi Arabia amidst chaotic circumstances. ‘KG’ missed weight and the bout had to be moved up to a higher weight class. Although he scored his win, Gastelum suffered significant criticism from the MMA community. UFC veteran Michael Bisping joined in on this, sharing his thoughts on the fight.
Michael Bisping criticized Kelvin Gastelum for missing weight before his fight in UFC Saudi Arabia. Bisping expressed his disappointment, stating that Gastelum “should be ashamed of himself” for the weight mishap. Bisping pointed out how Gastelum clearly did not put in the effort to make weight which technically gave him an advantage in preparation over Rodriguez.
Gastelum clearly wasn’t doing that throughout the training camp, so therefore you’re stronger, you’re more athletic, you recover from your training sessions quicker… I thought Daniel Rodriguez should be proud of himself, really, really pushed Gastelum to the limit… But Kelvin Gastelum — regarding the weight situation — should be ashamed of himself.
Michael Bisping at UFC Saudi Arabia Post-fight show
Daniel Rodriguez took on Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on ABC 6 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Gastelum came in over the weight limit, forcing the fight to be held at middleweight instead of welterweight. It was a competitive bout, with good strikes from Gastelum early on in the fight. However, Rodriguez also actively responded throughout the three rounds.
Despite the age difference ‘KG’ is a more experienced fighter than the 37-year-old Rodriguez. The fight went the distance but Gastelum scored the win via unanimous decision. However, despite the loss Rodriguez received much praise from the MMA community, including a significant pay raise and a new UFC contract.
Daniel Rodriguez ‘won’ even after losing to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Saudi Arabia
Daniel Rodriguez secured his last win in 2022. Since then he has incurred three back-to-back losses, the latest one being at UFC Saudi Arabia. However, this time it proved to be a blessing in disguise as ‘D-Rod’ gained a lot from his unanimous decision loss to Gastelum.
Daniel Rodriguez reveals new UFC contract and more after losing to Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Saudi Arabia (Image via X)The welterweight recently addressed his fans on Instagram, talking about the loss at UFC Saudi Arabia. This was when he revealed that he had scored a hefty pay raise, including a thirty percent cut of Gastelum’s fight pay and a brand new UFC contract. As such, this loss was a blessing in disguise for him. As for Gastelum, he is not in the promotion’s good books and may have to do a lot of damage control.
I’m done complaining about the fight, f*** it, it happened. I knew the risk, with the risk came great rewards; I lost the fight but I gained so much more in return. A ton of respect from the fight community, a nice raise, a six-fight contract and 30 percent of his f***ing purse.
Daniel Rodriguez via Instagram stories
Daniel Rodriguez says that he got a new 6 fight contract with UFC, with a raise, AND got 30% of Gastelum’s purse for taking the fight this past weekend.
Respect. pic.twitter.com/j6tqYMEtph
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 23, 2024
‘D-Rod’ said he wanted to win but he won so much more in the end that he was no longer disappointed. He knew the risk, took it, and put on “a h*ll of a show.” Rodriguez said that his kids and family were proud of him, so he lost but won in the end. This fight has certainly opened up a lot of doors for him, showing the importance of just showing up despite the circumstances.
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