by King Hazard
On February 11th, Robert Whittaker will step inside the Octagon to defend the middleweight title against Luke Rockhold, but that doesn’t sit well with Kelvin Gastelum. The former Ultimate Fighter winner thinks he deserves that shot over Rockhold.
However, the former UFC and STRIKEFORCE champion also believes the same for Gastelum. In a recent scrum for UFC 221, Rockhold commented on the situation and mentioned that the rising 185-pound star hasn’t done enough in the division to deserve a title fight.
Rockhold said,
I know I’ve proven myself, I’ve accomplished things in this sport, whereas little m**gets like Kelvin Gastelum haven’t. I’ve destroyed Chris Weidman, which he got destroyed by Weidman, so it’s like ehh [shrugs].
This kid hasn’t beaten really anybody and done anything in this sport, and for him to run his mouth, it’s pretty funny. It’s laughable. He’ll find out real if he continues his efforts at 185. I’d slap that kid down real quick. Real quick.
Gastelum, 26, lost to Chris Weidman in July, but rebounded after a first round knockout over Micheal Bisping at UFC Shanghai. Rockhold recently debunked David Branch in September, landing him an instant title shot. Gastelum was unhappy about that outcome and claimed that Whittaker chose to fight Rockhold because he was an “easier fight.”
Gastelum told Duane Finley of FloCombat in a recent interview,
I knew Luke Rockhold and I were both in the front-running for this fight. I was then told Robert Whittaker wanted the tougher fight and he picked Rockhold. In my opinion that is the easier fight because I feel I’m the toughest fight for anyone in this division. I think Whittaker took the easier fight by going with Luke.
Let us know who deserves that title shot the most in the comment section below. Stay tuned to Yell! Magazine for much more daily news in MMA.
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