A key middleweight scrap between Kelvin Gastelum and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC 224 event in Brazil.
Souza was almost able to end the fight with an armbar in round one, but Gastelum managed to survive the submission attempt.
In round two Gastelum would find his range and proceeded to drop Souza with a punch. “Jacare” would recover and eventually end round two with a flurry of his own.
Round three was a back and forth affair that ended with Gastelum unloading bombs on Souza. The horn sounded to end the final round of action and it was up to the judges to render a decision.
In the end, Kelvin Gastelum was awarded the split-decision victory.
Here is how the pros reacted to Kelvin Gastelum’s big win:
https://twitter.com/Justin_Gaethje/status/995512925497409536
Kelvin has a chin! #UFC224
— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) May 13, 2018
JACARE IS RALLYING IN ROUND TWO! #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/BYhYvrKeUS
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
Souza looks crippled
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) May 13, 2018
How about the chin on Gastelum, good lord.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 13, 2018
Awesome fight. Regardless of a win or not, Kelvin can hang with the elite MWs. No doubt about it. What a stud and great heart from Jacare.#UFC224
— Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/aaronbronsteter/status/995514165732274176
What a fight. Crazy chins on both, but Gastelum never even looked phased and Jacare cracked him multiple times. Souza was in zombie mode for 2 rounds. 29-28 Kelvin
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 13, 2018
Gastelum deserved the W in my opinion #UFC224
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) May 13, 2018
Congrats @KelvinGastelum my brother!!!!!!!
— Robin Black (@robinblackmma) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/NickBaldwinMMA/status/995515078823866368
Split decision goes to Kelvin Gastelum, 29-28. That's what I scored it as well. Amazing fight. Jacare did all he could. Kelvin is a young beast man. Can't hurt the guy.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 13, 2018
Both @KelvinGastelum and @JacareMMA have some gas tanks on them, wheew! @ufc
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) May 13, 2018
Surprised the decision was "split." Gastelum clearly won 2/3 rounds.
Beating Souza is a big deal, but let's be honest. Gastelum needs to beat a contender his own age for a title shot. #UFC224
— Fightnomics Reed (@Fightnomics) May 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/NickBaldwinMMA/status/995515338212233216
https://twitter.com/TheDKano/status/995515357321297925
https://twitter.com/aaronbronsteter/status/995515663174307840
Split Decision!@KelvinGastelum gets the judges call at #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/Lr26Ugy7KC
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 13, 2018