Kelvin Gastelum is determined to make 2016 the best year of his career to date.

After a tumultuous run in 2015, The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 winner entered the new campaign dead set on turning things around. In his mind, it was time for all the potential and buzz surrounding him to be put on the line, and Gastelum gave himself no other option but to show and prove inside the Octagon.

Gastelum wasn’t interested in taking back steps and this mindset was validated when he accepted a bout against Johny Hendricks at UFC 200. Facing a former champion of his division was not only going to provide a stern test, but an opportunity to gauge his place in the 170-pound picture.

While it was a hard-fought affair, Gastelum ultimately proved capable of handling the task at hand. The Kings MMA representative walked away with the unanimous decision victory, and was eager to keep things moving up the divisional ladder.



Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kelvin Gastelum (blue gloves) punches Johny Hendricks (red gloves) during UFC 200 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

Therefore, when UFC matchmaker Joe Silva offered up a bout against Jorge Masvidal at The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3 Finale, Gastelum found himself admittedly confused. He wanted to face someone with a bigger name and higher stakes inside the cage, but ever the diligent worker, Gastelum accepted the bout offered to him.

Then, in a turn of madness only the fight game could provide, the scheduled bout between Robbie Lawler and Donald Cerrone slated for UFC 205 fell apart due to the former champion removing himself from the fight.

With a spot opposite “Cowboy” now open, Gastelum began contacting the UFC, and sure enough landed the biggest fight of his career.

“I just kept bugging them and bugging them and I ended up getting the fight and I’m happy to get it because this is a fight I really want,” Gastelum said. “There is a lot of buzz surrounding this fight and it has a lot of potential to change the momentum of my career. I’ve gone through some ups and downs and I’m ready to make a serious run at that title.

“I was going to be happy either way, but I’m fired up for this fight against Cerrone. Nothing against Masvidal but I really wanted an opponent who could move me up in the rankings and possibly get me a title shot. That wasn’t going to happen with the first matchup, and I felt like they didn’t want to put me against anyone at the top, but there is a lot of heat surrounding this fight with Cerrone.

“I figured they were going to go after Nick Diaz or someone like that but it still didn’t stop me from texting them saying I wanted the fight. I imagine they tried to find a bigger named opponent still, but they ultimately ended up going the Gastelum route,” he laughed.



Jul 9, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kelvin Gastelum (blue gloves) punches Johny Hendricks (red gloves) during UFC 200 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports

While Gastelum recently returned to his winning ways, Cerrone has been on one of the hottest runs of his career performance wise. The Jackson/Winkeljohn staple has finished all three of the opponents he’s faced since moving up to welterweight and has done so in impressive fashion.

His most recent victory came via destruction against Rick Story, and the win put Cerrone on the verge of something bigger in the divisional picture. That momentum is precisely what Gastelum is looking to swipe at UFC 205 on Nov. 12.

“I believe I match up great with Cerrone,” Gastelum said. “He’s struggled against southpaws in the past especially southpaws who pressure him. I believe he’s 2-5 against southpaws and the only two he’s defeated recently were Rick Story and Benson Henderson.

“Other than that he’s stumbled against fighters who pressure him like Rafael dos Anjos who is one of my teammates at Kings MMA. I bring a style that will be a problem for him.

“I wanted to make this year a turnaround year and I have the chance to end 2016 with a big pop. I have the opportunity to get a win over Cerrone and it will be at Madison Square Garden. I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to what happens in the future when I win this fight.”



Jun 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Kelvin Gastelum (red gloves) fights Nico Musoke (blue gloves) in a Welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 43 at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

While his upcoming bout against Cerrone may be the biggest spotlight matchup of his career, Gastelum is also thrilled to be competing at Madison Square Garden. As a lifelong fight fan Gastelum knows the venue’s rich history, and is excited for the opportunity to create one of the first greats for the UFC and MSG.

“I think it’s so cool to be fighting at Madison Square Garden,” Gastelum said. “There’s been legendary fights in that building. It really is a dream come true, man. I couldn’t be more excited to be fighting there.

“If there was ever a time for me to turn the tide of my career and go for the title it’s now. I’m young, quick and feeling good. I’m only getting better and now is the time for me to get everything I’ve set out for.

“A win in this fight means I’m only going to get bigger fights and bigger contracts going forward. I want people to talk about my fights, but I have to deliver first and foremost and that’s what I’m going to do.”