TUF Winner Kelvin Gastelum Moves Down to Welterweight, Faces Paulo Thiago
As expected TUF’s most recent winner Kelvin Gastelum will make the drop down to welterweight. He’s been signed on to face Brazilian Paulo Thiago at UFC on Fox Sports 1:2 from Indianapolis, which will take place on August 28th. The news was revealed via Gastelum’s Twitter page:
“@ricardolizard00: @kelvingastelum Paulo Thiago UFC fox sports 1 #2″winner of the signed gloves
— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) June 4, 2013
Many thought that Gastelum was undersized for the middleweight class at which he competed throughout the entire duration of TUF 18, but he managed to best the very heavily favored Uriah Hall to take home the contract. Still, a stint against the slightly smaller fighters at WW will most likely serve as an advantage to Gastelum.
Like Chael Sonnen said during TUF, Gastelum is regarded as a wrestler but he doesn’t really specialize in any one thing, he’s just solid in all aspects of mixed martial arts. While it’s true that he may be dealing with fighters who have a bit more speed at 170, he could hold a perceived strength and size advantage with the weight cut.
UFC on Fox Sports 1:2 is set to feature a pivotal rematch at 170 between Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann, who both lost to Johny Hendricks in their last respective bouts. Thiago will provide a tough initial test for Gastelum in his first welterweight bout. How do you view Gastelum’s prospects at welterweight?
