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UFC Vegas 98 takes place Saturday, so it's time to break down the top fights, plus make DFS picks and predictions for the key matchups on the card.
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More weight cutting issues
Gastelum's scheduled matchup against Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday will now be contested at middleweight, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gastelum has a long history of issues making the 170-pound welterweight limit, which eventually forced him to move up to middleweight -- a division he is a bit undersized in. He did successfully make welterweight for his December 2 loss to Sean Brady, and while this bout was originally scheduled for welterweight, Gastelum's camp noted early that he would be unable to make that weight, or even make a catchweight limit of 180 pounds. Fortunately for Gastelum, Rodriguez agreed to allow the bout to be contested at middleweight. Even with the shake-up and weight-cutting concerns, Gastelum remains roughly a (-230) betting favorite for the matchup as of Thursday afternoon.
Gastelum has a long history of issues making the 170-pound welterweight limit, which eventually forced him to move up to middleweight -- a division he is a bit undersized in. He did successfully make welterweight for his December 2 loss to Sean Brady, and while this bout was originally scheduled for welterweight, Gastelum's camp noted early that he would be unable to make that weight, or even make a catchweight limit of 180 pounds. Fortunately for Gastelum, Rodriguez agreed to allow the bout to be contested at middleweight. Even with the shake-up and weight-cutting concerns, Gastelum remains roughly a (-230) betting favorite for the matchup as of Thursday afternoon.
Next matchup in Saudi Arabia
Gastelum will take on Daniel Rodriguez at the UFC event scheduled for June 22 in Saudi Arabia, UFC President Dana White announced Wednesday night.
ANALYSIS
Gastelum has been on a rough stretch, as he fell to 2-6 in his last eight fights after a submission loss to Sean Brady in his return to the welterweight division last December. His name recognition will still land him a fight on a high-profile card against an opponent in Rodriguez who is coming off a suspension and two-fight losing streak. In a fight that projects to be contested on the feet, Gastelum will concede height and reach advantages to Rodriguez, who also has the statistical edge in volume striking.
Gastelum has been on a rough stretch, as he fell to 2-6 in his last eight fights after a submission loss to Sean Brady in his return to the welterweight division last December. His name recognition will still land him a fight on a high-profile card against an opponent in Rodriguez who is coming off a suspension and two-fight losing streak. In a fight that projects to be contested on the feet, Gastelum will concede height and reach advantages to Rodriguez, who also has the statistical edge in volume striking.
Routed in welterweight return
Gastelum lost to Sean Brady via submission (kimura) at 1:43 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Austin, Texas.
ANALYSIS
Competing at welterweight for the first time since July 2016, Gastelum looked truly awful. He made weight with no issues Friday morning, but the good times ended there. Any theoretical advantage Kelvin may have had on the feet was completely negated by the fact he couldn't defend a takedown. Literally. Brady went 5-for-5, good for 9:06 worth of control time. Gastelum mercifully tapped out to a kimura in the early stages of Round 3. Kelvin turned just 32 years of age in late-October, but he's 2-6 in his past eight fights and at a career crossroads at the moment. There doesn't appear to be an easy answer here in regards to what is next.
Competing at welterweight for the first time since July 2016, Gastelum looked truly awful. He made weight with no issues Friday morning, but the good times ended there. Any theoretical advantage Kelvin may have had on the feet was completely negated by the fact he couldn't defend a takedown. Literally. Brady went 5-for-5, good for 9:06 worth of control time. Gastelum mercifully tapped out to a kimura in the early stages of Round 3. Kelvin turned just 32 years of age in late-October, but he's 2-6 in his past eight fights and at a career crossroads at the moment. There doesn't appear to be an easy answer here in regards to what is next.
Successfully makes welterweight
Gastelum weighed in at 170 pounds in advance of his scheduled welterweight fight against Sean Brady at UFC Austin on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Why is a fighter making weight newsworthy, you might ask? Gastelum has had a long history of unsuccessfully attempting to make the welterweight limit, which eventually resulted in UFC President Dana White all but forcing him to move up to middleweight. While Gastelum was still competitive there, he's severely undersized at 5-foot-9, so his ceiling was always going to be limited. Many were skeptical Gastelum would be able to make welterweight when his UFC Austin fight was announced, but not only did he make it, he hit the title weight of 170 pounds on the dot. It's almost as if he was making a statement to UFC brass that he's here to stay. Still, with respect to Saturday's fight, he remains listed as a slight betting underdog as of Friday morning.
Why is a fighter making weight newsworthy, you might ask? Gastelum has had a long history of unsuccessfully attempting to make the welterweight limit, which eventually resulted in UFC President Dana White all but forcing him to move up to middleweight. While Gastelum was still competitive there, he's severely undersized at 5-foot-9, so his ceiling was always going to be limited. Many were skeptical Gastelum would be able to make welterweight when his UFC Austin fight was announced, but not only did he make it, he hit the title weight of 170 pounds on the dot. It's almost as if he was making a statement to UFC brass that he's here to stay. Still, with respect to Saturday's fight, he remains listed as a slight betting underdog as of Friday morning.
Slated to fight Dec. 2
Gastelum (undisclosed) will fight Sean Brady (undisclosed) on Dec. 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Both fighters missed their last scheduled fight. Gastelum sat out a Sept. 16 bout due to an undisclosed injury, while Brady backed out of a July 8 fight against Jack Della Maddalena.
Both fighters missed their last scheduled fight. Gastelum sat out a Sept. 16 bout due to an undisclosed injury, while Brady backed out of a July 8 fight against Jack Della Maddalena.