Kelvin Gastelum's Ongoing Weight Struggles

Kelvin Gastelum, the seasoned middleweight fighter, is once again in the spotlight for his weight-cutting issues. At his recent Noche UFC fight against Dustin Stoltzfus, Gastelum weighed in at 191 pounds—five pounds over the limit for a non-title bout. Despite winning via unanimous decision, his victory was overshadowed by continuing concerns about his inability to make weight.

Coach Raises Alarming Speculations

During a segment on the Anik & Florian Podcast, coach Ray Longo expressed his worries that Gastelum’s weight issues could stem from a deeper health concern rather than just a lack of discipline. "I like Kelvin. He’s a genuinely nice guy, but I think he might be dealing with a serious eating disorder. He seems to be struggling," Longo asserted, emphasizing that it’s not merely a matter of carelessness.

A Troubling History With the Scale

Gastelum has faced challenges related to weight throughout his career. From his early days competing at welterweight, he missed the scale in 2014 and again before a crucial match against Tyron Woodley in 2015. Despite significant wins that solidified his reputation, repeated weight misses ultimately led him to compete at middleweight.

His recent weight miss at 185 pounds during the Noche UFC event was a shocking first for his middleweight career, raising alarms among fans and analysts alike.

Longo's Support, Yet Confusion

Longo, experienced in overseeing tough weight cuts, sympathizes with Gastelum's plight but remains perplexed about why he struggles consistently. "I really believe he’s facing something serious. His body might not be reacting like everyone else’s. It’s disheartening to see, especially when we’ve witnessed some fighters pushing themselves to their limits," Longo reflected.

Consequences of Missed Weights

Gastelum’s struggles have cost him financially; as a penalty for his weight miss, he was fined 35% of his fight purse. Longo pointed out that such a significant deduction indicates that Gastelum isn’t driven solely by financial incentives to make weight.

Is the UFC to Blame?

Longo didn’t hold back in suggesting that the UFC also shares the responsibility for booking fighters like Gastelum on short notice. "Asking a fighter to compete with such little preparation is risky. They know the challenges he faces with weight; it's a gamble that may not favor them in the long run," he concluded.

Looking Ahead: What's Next for Gastelum?

While speculation about Gastelum’s health continues, one thing remains clear: his journey with weight management is far from over. Fans and analysts alike are waiting to hear from Gastelum himself about these ongoing challenges and how he plans to address them moving forward.