Kelvin Gastelum is moving back down to 170 pounds, and cannot wait to make the jump. Gastelum competed at middleweight for the past seven years, but looks forward to the “non stop action” of his return to welterweight, reacting on his YouTube channel to a callout by Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“I like the callout. I appreciate the call out. I thought it was a little boring. He could have added a little spice to it, but I like the fight. These are the kind of fights that I want in the welterweight division. This puts me right in the mix, swimming with the sharks.
Kelvin Gastelum Ready For “Non Stop Action” Upon Return To UFC Welterweight Division
It’s either sink or swim. I like this fight. I think he’s ranked No. 5 or No. 6 in the welterweight division. This puts me up there with some really fun fights, given I win this, which I will.
It’s been a couple weeks since the tweet. I’ve been on vacation so it’s taken me some time to address it, but now it’s time for me to address it and officially accept the challenge.
I accept, Shavkat Rakhmonov, your challenge at 170 pounds, and not only that, I’ll give you a date. Dana was talking about doing a huge Mexican Independence Day event in Las Vegas, which happens to be Sep. 16 on the dot, and me being an outstanding Mexican American, I would gladly represent where my people have come from and where we’re going.
Sep. 16 at the T-Mobile Arena, wherever it may be, as your man in Kazakhstan, [Gennady Golovkin] would say, ‘Big drama show.’ Let’s get it on. I accept, Shavkat. I accept your challenge.”
Rakhmonov offers a serious challenge for Gastelum. He has a 100% finish rate, with all seventeen of his career wins coming via stoppage. Despite this, Gastelum feels like he’s stylistic nightmare for Shavkat.
“I think stylistically I’m horrible for him. He comes forward, he’s very sloppy sometimes, and I’m going to be able to capitalize on that. I’m either going to be able to land these two [raises his fists] or take his ass down and submit him. I don’t know which way I’ll win.
I’m not going to sit here and lie and say he’s not a difficult opponent, because he is. The man can take a beating. But I can’t wait to be the one to actually put the ‘1’ next to his undefeated record. I just think I’m a horrible matchup.”
