In a surprising revelation ahead of UFC Mexico City, Kelvin Gastelum has expressed his initial hesitations about matching up against Joe Pyfer. The fight, set to take place this Saturday, marks Gastelum’s first return to the octagon since he secured a unanimous decision victory against Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Saudi Arabia last year.

That prior fight was a significant ordeal, morphing from a welterweight showdown to a middleweight clash due to weight-related issues during fight week. Fortunately, Gastelum has now made it clear that he intends to put such struggles behind him, committing fully to the middleweight division.

“Yeah, 185 is my home,” Gastelum stated emphatically during a media day event in Mexico City. “I feel good about it. This is where I’ve had the best moments of my career. I’ve built a lot of muscle to compete with these big guys.”

Reflecting on his journey, Gastelum recounted his uncertainty when transitioning between weight classes. “There were times I was considering returning to welterweight because I was winning fights, but I’ve made my decision now. I feel 100 percent sure that middleweight is where I belong, and I’m ready to put on a show against some of the best fighters in the world.”

Gastelum, a former middleweight champion who won The Ultimate Fighter 17, enjoyed early success at both 170 and 185 pounds. His rise in the middleweight ranks culminated in a title shot against Israel Adesanya at UFC 236, a bout that, despite resulting in a loss, garnered accolades as the 2019 Fight of the Year and is now being honored with induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

However, leading up to his fight against Pyfer, Gastelum found himself disenchanted with the matchup. “At first, I was a little bothered by it,” he admitted. “He was not someone on my radar; I wanted someone ranked, a bigger name. But this fight is a big test for me. It’s time for me to start from the bottom again, to face these young contenders. This is a new chapter in my life and career, and it begins with Joe Pyfer.”

Should Gastelum emerge victorious against Pyfer, he will have various avenues to explore for his next competition. While he isn’t actively pursuing another clash with Adesanya, he remains open to it under the right circumstances. “It’s not something I’m thinking about right now, but if it happens, I wouldn't say no,” he remarked. “Izzy and I have always had a respectful relationship since then, so if the opportunity arises, it’s something we’d have to consider.”

UFC Mexico City is set to unfold this Saturday at Arena CDMX, and fans are eagerly anticipating how Gastelum will recapture his momentum in the middleweight division. Will he rise to the occasion and prove he still belongs among the elite? Stay tuned!