UPDATE: UFC veteran Kelvin Gastelum has missed weight for the fourth time in his career, weighing in at 191 pounds for his scheduled 185-pound bout against Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC Noche on September 16, 2023. This marks Gastelum’s first weight miss as a middleweight, raising immediate questions about his future in the sport.
Despite the setback, Stoltzfus, who successfully made weight, has agreed to proceed with the fight. As a consequence of Gastelum’s failure to meet the weight requirement, Stoltzfus will receive 35 percent of Gastelum’s fight purse, a move that underscores the financial repercussions for fighters who struggle with weight management.
Gastelum, now 33 years old, has a troubled history with weight issues, primarily during his time as a welterweight. He previously missed weight for 170-pound bouts in 2014 and 2015 and faced severe consequences in 2016 when a scheduled fight against Donald Cerrone was canceled due to his inability to make weight. The New York State Athletic Commission refused to sanction the fight, resulting in a six-month suspension for Gastelum.
As a former interim championship title challenger, Gastelum’s record now stands at 19-10, with a concerning 3-7 record in his last ten fights. This latest weight miss has raised concerns among fans and analysts about his ability to compete at a high level moving forward.
What happens next is crucial. Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the fight, while analysts will closely examine Gastelum’s performance under these challenging circumstances. If he wins, it could signify a much-needed comeback; if he loses, it could prompt serious discussions about his future in the UFC.
Stay tuned for updates as UFC Noche unfolds, and see how this unexpected twist impacts the fight and Gastelum’s career trajectory.
