Kelvin Gastelum received backlash from UFC top officials Dana White and Hunter Campbell for struggling to meet the weight requirement once more at UFC Saudi Arabia. Gastelum’s team notified his opponent, Daniel Rodriguez, a day before the weigh-in that he wouldn’t reach the welterweight limit, resulting in the bout being rearranged as a middleweight match on short notice. Despite emerging victorious by unanimous decision, Gastelum’s apology didn’t appease White, who expressed his disillusionment at Gastelum missing weight for the fourth time in his UFC tenure.
White recalled Gastelum’s previous weight-related mishaps, such as being 10 pounds over the limit for a fight against Tyron Woodley and a canceled bout with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone due to weight issues. Although Gastelum had spent a few years competing in the middleweight division, he opted to return to welterweight, where he encountered weight-related challenges in Saudi Arabia. White voiced his frustration at Gastelum’s weight struggles, pointing out other fighters who accepted short-notice fights and still managed to make weight.
Previously, White had urged Gastelum to move up to 185 pounds but permitted him to go back to welterweight for his recent fights. However, following the incident in Saudi Arabia, it remains uncertain if Gastelum will be granted another opportunity to compete in the welterweight division.
