{"id":219173,"date":"2017-01-24T09:24:59","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T17:24:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/?p=219173"},"modified":"2017-01-24T09:24:59","modified_gmt":"2017-01-24T17:24:59","slug":"kelvin-gastelum-bothered-criticism-failed-weigh-cuts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/mma-news\/kelvin-gastelum\/kelvin-gastelum-bothered-criticism-failed-weigh-cuts\/","title":{"rendered":"Kelvin Gastelum bothered by criticism from failed weigh cuts"},"content":{"rendered":"

While TUF season 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum is certainly a top 10 fighter in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, Gastelum has received quite a bit of criticism for missing weight<\/a> on numerous occasions when making the cut to 170 to fight at welterweight.<\/p>\n

Kelvin Gastelum’s first run-in with the scale came at UFC Fight Night 44 in 2014, where he missed weight by almost 2 pounds before his fight with Nico Musoke. Following that, Gastelum has another run-in with the scale in 2015, when he missed weight by ten pounds ahead of his UFC 183 scrap with Tyron Woodley, where he lost a split decision. Most recently, Gastelum was forced out of his UFC 205 scrap with Donald Cerrone<\/a> when he actually skipped attempting to formally make weight as he was aware that he was well over the welterweight non-title fight limit of 171 pounds.<\/p>\n

\"Kelvin<\/p>\n

Following that, UFC President Dana White stated that he would never let the TUF winner fight at welterweight again<\/a>. Subsequently, Gastelum was booked for a UFC 206 scrap with Tim Kennedy, which he won via 3rd round TKO, putting him on a 2-fight win streak. Now, ahead of his ‘UFC Fight Night: Fortaleza’ headlining scrap with Vitor Belfort, Gastelum has reiterated that if the right fight comes up at welterweight, he will make the cut.<\/p>\n

He spoke to MMAJunkie<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cI said at the post-fight press conference if I had a fight that would interest me in middleweight, I would stay here; (otherwise) I\u2019d go back down to welterweight,\u201d Gastelum said. \u201cSo I said if I get a fight like Vitor Belfort, who\u2019s a big name, a legend in MMA, and he\u2019s ranked above me.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo they gave me the fight, the main event in Brazil. I\u2019ve got a new contract, and things are looking good right now.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Kelvin<\/p>\n

While that sounds like a great plan, Kelvin Gastelum knows there is some skepticism regarding his potential return to welterweight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does bother me,\u201d Gastelum said. \u201cBut at the same time, I\u2019ve brought it onto myself. I have to face the consequences on a media standpoint now. It does bother me. It bothers me a lot. But I have to take it. I\u2019m not one of those guys who shies away from his problems. I like to handle it upfront and kind of grab the bull by the horns.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, I just have to learn to keep my weight down outside of camp. That was my main problem. I get too heavy. And I eat carelessly, I drink carelessly outside of camp, and that\u2019s my fault. That\u2019s not going to happen anymore. That\u2019s a hard lesson learned, but I\u2019m just trying to stay positive and learn from my mistakes.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n