Gastelum

By FCF Staff

Last weekend’s fight between Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya was billed as a title shot eliminator. But despite the fact the latter won the contest, Kelvin Gastelum doesn’t believe “The Last Style Bender’s” earned a championship bout.

Adesanya faced Silva at UFC 234, and proceeded to win the fight via unanimous decision. Gastelum was scheduled to fight current middleweight champ, Robert Whittaker at the event, but he had to withdraw due to a hernia. 

Since UFC 234, Adesanya has insisted he’s next for a title shot. But, Gastelum had this to say during a follow-up appearance on Ariel Helwani’s “MMA Show” (quote via MMA Mania):

“He beat a 43-year old Anderson Silva. I’m not sure that’s a claim for a title shot. But if the UFC decides he’s No. 1 contender and gets to skips the five guys in front of him, then so be it. I guess I will fight the No. 1 contender and defend my title.”

“…He’s not over-hyped. I mean it is in a way but he deserves it. He talks well, fights well, but the performance he showed on Saturday was not title-worthy in my opinion. It was all just very exciting theatrics. When I fight, I put guys away. He wasn’t able to put a 43-year old Anderson away. I felt I would’ve done a different sort of job.”

Gastelum is coming off wins over “Jacare” Souza and Michael Bisping, after he was submitted by Chris Weidman in 2017.