Gastelum: I can be a mediocre middleweight or welterweight champ

UFC fighter Kelvin Gastelum won TUF 17 at middleweight, but promptly dropped to welterweight, which by appearances was the right division.

Under the direction of Mike Dolce, Gastelum made weight his first time time out welterweight, and beat Brian Melancon.

He then dropped Dolce from his coaching staff, and succeeded to make weight only on his second try, and got a split decision win over Rick Story. Next he missed weight vs. Nico Musoke by two pounds, and the bout was held at a catchweight.

Gastelum then reached out to Dolce, to help him prepare for Jake Ellenberger. Dolce said he was booked, but Kelvin made weight, and won via choke in the first. At this point he was surging, and a fight was booked with Tyron Woodley, with potential title implications.

However, Dolce said that the fighter should be at lightweight.

“He needs to show more discipline in the offseason,” said Dolce. “Once he does that I think he’ll be an amazing welterweight. But honestly, I truly believe Kelvin should really be a lightweight.”

Again without Dolce, Gastelum failed to make welterweight, this time by 4 pounds, and then lost to Woodley via Split Decision. UFC president Dana White then unceremoniously moved Gastelum to middleweight, where is now, however unhappily.

I think I can either be a mediocre middleweight, or I can be the welterweight champion, said the fighter to John Morgan for MMAjunkie. And I want to be the welterweight champion.

I plan on going back (to welterweight) and getting in the boss’ good graces after this Saturday night. Honestly, I don’t think I can beat Weidman, or Rockhold or Jacare. Those guys are beasts.

I think my skill level matches up pretty well with all of them. But I’m at a height disadvantage, a reach disadvantage, and a strength disadvantage.

Kelvin Gastelum fights Nate Marquardt at UFC 188 on Saturday June 13, 2015 at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City, Mexico.