Kelvin Gastelum stakes his claim for the title.
The UFC Middleweight division has been one of the most frustrating and tortured divisions in all of MMA after Michael Bisping won the belt off Luke Rockhold at UFC 199. The Brit went on a tear of ‘Money Fights’ leaving top contender Robert Whittaker with an interim belt. Bisping’s last money fight was a loss to returning Welterweight Georges St. Pierre, who now holds the belt.
However, it looks as though GSP will relinquish the belt, and so the top Middleweights are staking their claims for a shot at the soon-to-be undisputed king Robert Whittaker. The UFC is likely to book Whittaker on February 11 at UFC 221 in Perth, Australia, Whittaker’s home country. So time is ticking down to find him the right dance partner.
Foremost among the eager contenders are Kelvin Gastelum and former champion Luke Rockhold
The 26-year-old Gastelum is coming off a spectacular first round knockout of Michael Bisping at UFC Shanghai.
Initially, Gastelum was forced into the Middleweight division after failing to make Welterweight several times. Despite this, he still struggles to make Middleweight although most people believe the he is a natural Welterweight. Even he has stated that he does not believe he could beat the top Middleweights, and did lose to former champion Chris Weidman in autumn.
But now, it seems as though the young Mexican has his confidence back. Gastelum’s competition for the Middleweight title shot is former champion Luke Rockhold, one of the most dominant Middleweights ever.
Rockhold, who lost his title to Bisping last year, rebounded with a second round finish over David Branch.
Now the two are competing for a spot, with Rockhold seeming to be the more likely candidate, Kelvin Gastelum is eagerly making his case. One thing he does have going for him is the fact that Luke has only fought once in over a year.
Despite this, Ariel Helwani reports that talks are underway for a championship bout between Whittaker and Rockhold at UFC 221. Should Luke get the shot, it will be interesting to see if Kelvin Gastelum keeps pursuing the belt in the Middleweight division, or tries his luck with a nutritionist and returns to Welterweight.
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