Kelvin Gastelum’s days at welterweight are over. The 25-year-old won’t be allowed to compete in the 170-pound weight division for the rest of his UFC career, according to president Dana White.
“I’ll never let him fight at 170 again,” White told FOX Sports on Friday. “I think he missed this one by 10 pounds.”
Gastelum was scheduled to fight Donald Cerrone at Saturday’s UFC 205 in New York City, but was overweight — he didn’t even weigh in — and subsequently pulled from the card. “Cowboy” was on weight, and the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) has a strict rule that fighters have to be no more than seven pounds apart at the weigh-ins, which means that Gastelum was over 177 pounds.
This wasn’t Gastelum’s first failed weight cut, however. Including the now-scratched Cerrone fight, Gastelum has missed weight three times in seven welterweight appearances. After being drastically overweight ahead of UFC 183, Gastelum was forced up to the middleweight division. But after a win over Nate Marquardt, he was allowed back down to 170 pounds, despite White initially wanting Gastelum to remain at 185 pounds.
Gastelum had not missed weight at welterweight since moving back down until Friday.
.@UFC Prez @DanaWhite is NOT happy with @KelvinGastelum for missing weight. Hear from the boss himself what he plans to do about it. #UFC205pic.twitter.com/luVhm8sXyt
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) November 11, 2016
In the mean time it looks like The UFC is planning to re-book Donald Cerrone for a later event, meaning that UFC 205 will go ahead with just 11 bouts. UFC 205 takes place this Saturday, November 12th at Madison Square Garden in New York. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow, as it seems this card is changing quickly.
