Kelvin Gastelum secures a significant bout as he makes his highly anticipated comeback to the Welterweight division.
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Kelvin Gastelum secures a significant bout as he makes his highly anticipated comeback to the Welterweight division after a seven-year hiatus. The long-awaited return will take place at UFC Las Vegas on September 16, 2023.
The victor of The Ultimate Fighter 17 (TUF) descends back to the 170-pound weight class to clash with the formidable Shavkat Rakhmonov, currently ranked as the sixth-best contender in the division.
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With an unblemished record of 17 wins and no losses, Rakhmonov, a dynamic finisher, has garnered comparisons to a previous adversary of Gastelum. If these comparisons hold true, it hints at an intense battle awaiting Gastelum when all is said and done.
“I’m actually comparing him to [Israel] Adesanya,” Gastelum told The Schmo. “When I fought Adesanya, he was another up-and-coming guy that was undefeated, rising star, kind of similar situation that I’m in now. I’m fighting Rakhmonov, he’s a rising contender, undefeated prospect. Man, this is gonna be a fun fight, a fun challenge for me.”
In Gastelum’s professional journey, he encountered his solitary title opportunity in a memorable showdown against Adesanya at Middleweight back in April 2019, contending for the interim championship. The epic encounter witnessed an unforgettable display of skill as both fighters exchanged powerful strikes until the closing bell, ultimately leading to Adesanya’s well-deserved unanimous decision victory.
Despite experiencing limited triumphs following his unforgettable “Fight of the Year” performance, Gastelum showcased his true potential in his most recent outing against Chris Curtis, where he returned to his prime form and secured a unanimous decision victory. As 2024 unfolds, the 31-year-old contender envisions a convergence of favorable circumstances paving the way for his highly anticipated breakthrough moment in the Welterweight division.
“I can very well be fighting for the world title next year, that’s the goal,” Gastelum said. “I win this fight — I feel like I’m fighting the No. 1 contender at Welterweight. I don’t think there’s a clear contender other than Colby [Covington] but Colby’s coming off a win or a loss? I don’t remember. I just don’t see any clear contenders other than Shavkat and Shavkat now has a fight with me.”
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