Kelvin Gastelum Returns To Middleweight, Meets Nate Marquardt At UFC 188

After upsetting Uriah Hall back at the The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, Kelvin Gastelum instantly became a hot prospect in the UFC. Winning the show in the middleweight division, Gastelum decided to test the waters at 170-pounds and actually strung together four straight wins.

Putting together an impressive winning streak, the TUF winner was becoming known as a contender and he got his chance to prove himself against division mainstay Tyron Woodley at January’s UFC 183. Not only did “Mini Cain” lose the bout, but he came in massively over weight (second time missing weight at welterweight), even being hospitalized days before the bout, leading UFC president Dana White with no other option but to force Gastelum to move up in weight.

It looks as if the 23-year-old has followed his boss’ orders, and even has a fight set for his second run at middleweight. UFC officials have announced that Gastelum will take on veteran Nate Marquardt at June’s UFC 188 from Mexico City, which is headlined by the return of heavyweight king Cain Velasquez, who defends his title against Fabricio Werdum.

Sherdog confirmed the fight announcement.

Marquardt is a former middleweight title contender who has now lost four out of his last five. He’ll look to keep himself relevant against Gastelum, who will start a new run at 185 pounds.

Both fighters have seen better times despite being at polar opposite ends in their respective careers. Will Gastelum right the wrongs of his weight-cutting issues by sending Marquardt further down the ladder?