UPDATE: UFC veteran Kelvin Gastelum has missed weight for the fourth time in his career, weighing in at 191 pounds for a scheduled 185-pound bout against Dustin Stoltzfus at UFC Noche. This marks Gastelum’s first weight miss as a middleweight, raising urgent concerns ahead of the fight on September 16, 2023.
Despite Gastelum’s weight setback, Stoltzfus has agreed to continue with the contest, but he will receive 35 percent of Gastelum’s fight purse as compensation. This decision underscores the immediate stakes for both fighters as they prepare to enter the octagon.
Gastelum, 33, has a troubled history with weight issues, particularly in his time as a welterweight. He missed weight for 170-pound contests in both 2014 and 2015. A notable incident in 2016 led to the cancellation of a fight against Donald Cerrone when the New York State Athletic Commission refused to sanction the bout due to Gastelum’s excessive weight. This incident resulted in a six-month suspension and forced Gastelum to move to middleweight.
Now, with a record of 19-10 and a disappointing 3-7 in his last ten fights, Gastelum’s future is hanging by a thread. Missing weight again raises questions about his readiness and discipline as a competitor. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this will impact his performance against Stoltzfus, who has successfully made weight and is looking to capitalize on this opportunity.
As the fight approaches, all eyes are on Gastelum, whose history of weight mismanagement may play a pivotal role in the outcome of this bout. With the UFC Noche event just hours away, the implications of this weight miss could resonate beyond the octagon, affecting Gastelum’s career trajectory.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
