Kelvin Gastelum

By FCF Staff

Although Kelvin Gastelum could jump into the title shot mix at 185 this weekend, if he defeats former middleweight champ Michael Bisping, the fighter still believes a return to 170 is likely.

Gastelum has been competing at middleweight for over a year now, after he continued to have issues, making 170 pounds. Since then, Gastelum has scored wins over Tim Kennedy and Vitor Belfort (that win was overturned, however, when Gastelum tested positive for marijuana), and more recently, he was submitted by Chris Weidman.

Recently Gastelum relayed the following about his future, however, in advance of Saturday’s bout with Bisping (quotes via UFC.com):

“This might be my permanent home, but who knows? But I feel like 170 is where I’ll end up and where I want to fight for the title. I want to fight Tyron (Woodley) for the title.”

“In some things I am, yes,” Gastelum said, when asked if perhaps his hope to fight at 170 again, is the result of being stubborn. “In things that I want, yeah, of course. But I feel like I can do it. If I do it right, I can do it. I feel like it (the weight issue at 170 pounds) was an immaturity thing. I’ve learned from it and I feel like I can do it.”

Gastelum will face Bisping at UFC Fight Night 122 on Saturday, which will take place in Shanghai, China. The latter was choked out by Georges St-Pierre earlier this month at UFC 217.