Kelvin Gastelum Says He Had Added Pressure Against Nico Musoke

TUF 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum picked up his fourth-straight win inside the Octagon on Saturday with his decision over Sweden’s Nico Musoke to extend his undefeated streak to 9-0. Heading into the bout, Gastelum found himself as the favorite to win for the first time in his UFC career which he says caused him added pressure:

“As much as I hate to admit it, there was a little bit of added pressure,” Gastelum said after the fight. “But, as a fighter, as a professional, you have to deal with that and somehow find a way.”

Gastelum found the win but it didn’t come as easily as he first imagined. In the first round he was taken down by Musoke who controlled his back for the majority of the round. Some people have put this down to him not being fully fit in the fight after coming in overweight, but according to the 22-year old that’s not the case.

“I don’t think so, he came in real strong. I didn’t expect that at all – for him to shoot in on me. I thought he was more stand-up. But, it was just a mind thing that I got off to a late start. He was a very game opponent but I knew I had to push the pace the next two rounds to come out with the W.”

Take a look at Gastelum’s full interview below courtesy of UFC on Fox’s official YouTube page.