With his UFC career on the line, Kelvin Gastelum aims to deliver the performance of a lifetime in his crunch collision with Daniel Rodriguez on Saturday night.
The pair of top-level welterweights will put it all on the line at UFC Saudi Arabia, with the winner likely to earn their opportunity to dine at the top table, while the loser is left in no man’s land.
Kelvin Gastelum could leave the UFC if he loses in Saudi Arabia
Blessed with formidable talent and an unrelenting will to win, Kelvin Gastelum has established himself as a bonafide world-class mixed martial artist.
From winning The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs Team Sonnen, to picking up victories in the UFC over Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort, the American has showcased his skills beyond doubt.
However, over the last few years, Gastelum has struggled to replicate his form of old. After a razor-close loss against Israel Adesanya, in which he exhibited remarkable fighting spirit, the heavy-handed brawler has slid down the mountain.
In his last eight outings, he’s compiled a record of 2-6, leaving fans and the fighter himself fearful for the what the future holds.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, he candidly opened up about his mindset going into his fight on Saturday, and why he believes he capable of turning his career around.
Gastelum explained: “I feel like my back’s up against the wall a little bit – things haven’t gone the way I’ve wanted them to in my career lately. This one does feel a little different. I need a win. I’m in a must-win situation. I think both of us. I think loser goes home. Loser packs, and goes home and doesn’t sign with the UFC.
“As always, I’m coming into this confident, confident in my abilities and confident I put in the right amount of work. I’m just confident overall. I think I’m the better fighter overall. This guy’s a tough guy, but I think I’m better, I’m tougher, and I’m going to come out with the win.”
Opening up on what would happen if he were to lose the bout, the fighter confessed: “It does (scare me) – it does. But at the same time, I’m a man who always thinks positive, so we’re going to stay positive.”
The transparency exuded by Gastelum is a positive sign for a man addressing his flaws to bounce back stronger than ever.
Kelvin Gastelum aims to produce a sensational comeback after losing to Sean Brady
While Gastelum has never struggled for natural ability, on occasion, his discipline has been brought into question. After several failed attempts to make welterweight, including a 10lb miss against Tyron Woodley, he was sent packing to middleweight, where he was significantly outsized by his opponents.
However, showcasing his growth, in the build-up to his last outing, he proved that discipline is no longer an issue, returning back to the 170lb division. And while he was ultimately dealt with handily by a relentless Sean Brady, who finished him via Kimura, his commitment is clearly on the right track.
If Gastelum can enter the cage on Saturday night, with a clear head and the will to win that fans know still burns bright, he has every chance of producing a performance capable of propelling him back into the big time.
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