The UFC is in the midst of card-building for its return to Mexico. Rumor has it Kelvin Gastelum will return to action on 29 March when he takes on Joe Pyfer in a middleweight bout. They square up at the next UFC Mexico City ‘Fight Night’ – UFC on ESPN 64 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City.
Pyfer confirmed the fight on Instagram, while sources confirmed the official news that SBNation Network (MMAMania) reported first. Gastelum (19-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC) will look to keep the momentum going. He is fresh off a unanimous decisional win over Daniel Rodriguez at UFC on ABC 6 on June 22. However, Kelvin Gastelum irked both peers and the promotional CEO at his unprofessional weight miss right before the bout.
He missed the mark against Donald Cerrone at UFC 205, and on UFC Fight Night 44, forfeiting his purse to Nico Musoke. So it’s a hard trend. Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) also follows up another June win, entering UFC on ESPN 64. “Bodybagz” lived up to his nickname against Marc-Andre Barriault. He finished the fight via knockout in 85 seconds. Pyfer picked up his third Performance of the Night bonus award for the highlight reel moment.
Kelvin Gastelum will fight Joe Pyfer at #UFCMexico on March 29th. (first rep. @AlexBehunin) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/KjdZGlVYCJ
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) December 31, 2024
Before that, Pyfer had somewhat of an ‘oh anyway’ hype check kind of moment. Both the middleweights will have the opportunity to stretch their hand in the current listings. Fans though are not happy with this matchup.
Fight fans react to the UFC on ESPN 64 middleweight matchup
Kelvin Gastelum vs. ‘D-Rod’ was to take place at welterweight. But before weighing in, Gastelum informed the promotion that he couldn’t make 170lbs. It has been a tough few years for the 33-year-old, who has won just three of his last nine fights. However, a win over a red-hot Joe Pyfer might edge him back in the thick of things.
Fans react to the UFC on ESPN 64 matchup (Source: X)Pyfer touts the usual ups and downs as a fighter would. But the Team Fight Ready opponent has suffered many times in his weight shift. Gastelum’s trainer, Santino DeFranco, said that the former interim title challenger suffered from staph. Gastelum suffered scrapes in his Thailand training that started a staph and he was in no condition to cut down.
Fresh on a new contract – the fighter was very apologetic in his post-fight interview. However, there’s no denying he is working off fumes here. Hence, here is what fans think of his UFC on ESPN 64 in Mexico booking:
fridge vs power puncher i love this
— audrick (@audrickkk) December 31, 2024
This is going to be the fight where Gastelum gets KO’d for first time.
Somewhat of a nightmare matchup for Gastelum, biggest puncher he’s ever faced who goes forward and can wrestle. Also trains with Brady who beat Gastelum. Only way Pyfer loses this one is if he gasses.
— Totally Accurate MMA (@T_A_MMA) January 1, 2025
Let’s see if Pyfer can win over 15 mins since he ain’t KOing KG
— RX (@RX_MMA_06) December 31, 2024
Oh brother
— 🗞️ (@LudisCharta) December 31, 2024
God damn Kelvin Gastelum is a fatass🐷 pic.twitter.com/wGnquaXra3
— Gladiator MMA (@J0nJonesWife) December 31, 2024
The fridge will go cold
— HankMMA (@Hank_MMA_) January 1, 2025
Shit I thought they cut Kelvin
— Joe ThatMofo (@JoThatmofo) January 1, 2025
Gastelum gave up on that welterweight diet 😭😭😭
— Yasin (@444sure_) December 31, 2024
More than 11 years ago, Gastelum won season 17 of The Ultimate Fighter as a middleweight. The next time around, Gastelum moved up to welterweight, only to miss weight for the first time after two bouts at 170. Fights later, he missed 10 pounds to fight Tyron Woodley. He got moved up to middleweight but returned to 170 one bout later.
Not soon after, his scale on the issue emerged full on. Now, fans are not very fond of the fighter matching an interesting prospect. A prime reaction (@audrickkk) even quipped “fridge vs power puncher I love this“. It remains to be seen if he can turn things around.
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