Kelvin Gastelum wasn’t mincing words regarding his future and legacy at UFC on ABC 6. He knows that his reality of a storied 11-year run with the promotion can see a sharp end if he loses. To top it off, he hints at having weight-cut concerns yet again! He meets Daniel Rodriguez on the country’s first-ever UFC card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 32-year-old has fought at both welterweight and middleweight. Consequently, while he holds the mettle, weight cuts remain his kryptonite. His weight miss and cancelation against Donald Cerrone at UFC 205 was a serious matter in history. He also missed the mark on UFC Fight Night 44, forfeiting his purse to Nico Musoke. Now, Gastelum cautions trouble again.
To be honest, this has been a pretty hard training camp…There’s a lot of things that went on behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t know, don’t get to see… But, you know…we are gonna talk with the manager and come up with a best, uh, gameplan…But I think we’re in for a rough weight cut…
Kelvin Gastelum during UFC Saudi Arabia Pre-Fight Media Day Interviews (H/T: MMA CRAZY)
The Ultimate Fighter: Season 18 alum and winner has had quite a few memorable scraps. However, Kelvin Gastelum is on a 2-6 losing streak in his last eight. Despite rocking a chiseled yet stout attire, he suffered a third-round submission defeat to Sean Brady last December. Moreover, his sparring injury also cost him a mouthwatering clash against Shavkat Rakhmonov.
As it happens, the “Kelvin Gastelum” weight curse did strike…again. After a series of previously many botched weigh-ins and long lay-offs, the fighter failed to make weight during initial cuts. His UFC Saudi Arabia bout this Saturday (June 22, 2024) at Kingdom Arena will now take place at middleweight after “lots of moving parts behind the scenes.” Daniel Rodriguez had quite something to say about the setback.
Botched weight cut forces change in UFC on ABC 6; Daniel Rodriguez reacts
Gastelum (18-9 MMA, 12-9 UFC) could really use a win in his career at this point. He takes on fellow veteran Daniel Rodriguez at the UFC on ABC 6 this weekend. Gastelum has encountered more losses than wins in his past eight UFC appearances dating back to April 2019. However, ‘KG’ remains confident to turn the tide around.
Daniel Rodriguez declines 175 lbs catchweight; reacts to UFC on ABC 6 changes (Source: (.@KelvinGastelum.)/ dknation.draftkings.com)Despite missing weight yet again, he told Danny Segura (for @HablemosMMA, via MMA Junkie in Spanish) that he’s better in every aspect – the standup and the ground game. Rodriguez, on the other hand, isn’t really amused at the discourse. ‘D-Rod’ said he was contacted about Gastelum’s weight struggles and wasn’t pleased about it.
I’m currently 179 pounds, so I have to put weight back on… it’s been 13 weeks since I found out about this fight. I’m sure he has, too. So the fact that he’s saying that he’s having a bad fight camp – I feel like it’s lack of discipline.
Daniel Rodriguez during UFC Saudi Arabia Pre-Fight Media Day Interviews
Gastelum dropped back to welterweight and switched teams from California’s Kings MMA to Arizona. He underwent a major makeover for his last few outings, which sadly didn’t work. ‘KG’ missed weight again this Thursday at UFC Host Hotel’s initial cuts. However, Daniel Rodriguez has no sympathy for the Team Fight Ready striker.
In a since-deleted tweet, Gastelum revealed the opposition camp rejected a catchweight offer at 175lbs. ‘D-Rod’ finds the contracted 185-pound mark more agreeable and is now hedging his bets nearer to the 180 mark. However, the company man says he lost a little respect for Kelvin Gastelum in due process. Come this Saturday, it remains to be seen if he can back on this as reason enough to defeat the opposition.
