Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Kelvin Gastelum

How Kelvin Gastelum built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Kelvin Gastelum is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is known for winning The Ultimate Fighter 17 in 2013, which earned him a contract with the UFC. Gastelum has competed in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, showcasing his versatility as a fighter.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

January 2013: Selection for The Ultimate Fighter

In January 2013, Kelvin Gastelum was selected for The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen, defeating Kito Andrews to enter the TUF house and was last pick by Chael Sonnen.

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August 28, 2013: Gastelum vs. Melancon at UFC Fight Night 27

On August 28, 2013, Kelvin Gastelum was scheduled to face Paulo Thiago at UFC Fight Night 27, but Thiago withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Brian Melancon, whom Gastelum defeated via rear naked choke in the first round.

2013: Winning The Ultimate Fighter 17

In 2013, Kelvin Gastelum won The Ultimate Fighter 17, earning a contract with the UFC.

March 15, 2014: Victory Over Rick Story at UFC 171

On March 15, 2014, Kelvin Gastelum faced Rick Story at UFC 171 and won the fight via split decision.

June 28, 2014: Gastelum vs. Musoke at UFC Fight Night 44

On June 28, 2014, Kelvin Gastelum faced Nico Musoke at UFC Fight Night 44, missing weight by one and three-quarter pounds and forfeiting 20% of his fight purse; he won the fight via unanimous decision.

November 15, 2014: Victory Over Jake Ellenberger at UFC 180

On November 15, 2014, Kelvin Gastelum fought Jake Ellenberger at UFC 180 and won the fight in the first round via rear-naked choke, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

January 31, 2015: Gastelum vs. Woodley at UFC 183

On January 31, 2015, Kelvin Gastelum faced Tyron Woodley at UFC 183, missed weight by 10 lbs, was fined 30% of his fight purse, and lost the fight via split decision.

June 13, 2015: Victory Over Nate Marquardt at UFC 188

On June 13, 2015, Kelvin Gastelum faced Nate Marquardt at UFC 188 in his return to middleweight and won the fight via TKO after Marquardt's corner stopped the fight.

November 21, 2015: Loss to Neil Magny at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale

On November 21, 2015, Kelvin Gastelum faced Neil Magny at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale, losing the fight by split decision, though both participants earned Fight of the Night honors.

July 9, 2016: Victory Over Johny Hendricks at UFC 200

On July 9, 2016, Kelvin Gastelum faced Johny Hendricks at UFC 200 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

December 10, 2016: Victory Over Tim Kennedy at UFC 206

On December 10, 2016, Kelvin Gastelum faced Tim Kennedy at UFC 206 in a middleweight fight and won the fight via TKO in the third round.

March 11, 2017: Victory Over Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106

On March 11, 2017, Kelvin Gastelum fought Vitor Belfort at UFC Fight Night 106 and won the fight via TKO in the first round, earning a Performance of the Night bonus award.

July 22, 2017: Loss to Chris Weidman at UFC on Fox 25

On July 22, 2017, Kelvin Gastelum faced Chris Weidman at UFC on Fox 25 and lost the fight via submission in the third round.

November 25, 2017: Victory Over Michael Bisping

On November 25, 2017, Kelvin Gastelum defeated Michael Bisping by knockout in the first round after Anderson Silva was pulled from the bout due to failing a USADA drug test. Gastelum also earned his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

May 12, 2018: Victory Over Ronaldo Souza at UFC 224

On May 12, 2018, Kelvin Gastelum faced Ronaldo Souza at UFC 224 and won the back and forth fight via split decision, with both combatants receiving the Fight of the Night bonus.

July 2018: Selection as Coach for Ultimate Fighter 28

In July 2018, the UFC announced that Kelvin Gastelum and Robert Whittaker were selected as coaches for Ultimate Fighter 28.

November 2, 2018: Scheduled Fight for UFC Middleweight Championship

On November 2, 2018, Kelvin Gastelum was scheduled to face Robert Whittaker for the UFC Middleweight Championship on February 9, 2019, at UFC 234.

April 13, 2019: Gastelum vs. Adesanya at UFC 236

On April 13, 2019, Kelvin Gastelum faced Israel Adesanya at UFC 236 for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship and lost the fight via unanimous decision in a back and forth fight, earning him the Fight of the Night award. The fight was later voted the 2019 Fight of the Year.

November 2, 2019: Gastelum vs. Till at UFC 244 and NYSAC Disciplinary Action

On November 2, 2019, Kelvin Gastelum faced Darren Till at UFC 244 in New York City. The NYSAC issued a statement pursuing disciplinary action against Gastelum for making contact with another person while on the scale. He and his coach were fined $1,000 and $200 respectively and he lost the fight via split decision.

July 19, 2020: Loss to Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night 172

On July 19, 2020, Kelvin Gastelum faced Jack Hermansson at UFC Fight Night 172 and lost the fight via heel hook in round one.

December 26, 2020: Bout Moved to UFC 258

On December 26, 2020, it was announced that Kelvin Gastelum's scheduled bout against Ian Heinisch on January 30, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 186, had been moved to UFC 258 on February 13, 2021.

January 30, 2021: Scheduled Bout

On January 30, 2021, Kelvin Gastelum was originally scheduled to face Ian Heinisch at UFC Fight Night 186, before the bout was moved to UFC 258.

February 13, 2021: Victory Over Ian Heinisch at UFC 258

On February 13, 2021, Kelvin Gastelum won the fight against Ian Heinisch at UFC 258 via unanimous decision.

April 17, 2021: Loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC on ESPN 22

On April 17, 2021, Kelvin Gastelum faced Robert Whittaker, replacing Paulo Costa, at UFC on ESPN 22. Gastelum lost the fight via unanimous decision, although this fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

August 21, 2021: Loss to Jared Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 29

On August 21, 2021, Kelvin Gastelum faced Jared Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 29 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

April 8, 2023: Victory Over Chris Curtis at UFC 287

On April 8, 2023, Kelvin Gastelum faced Chris Curtis at UFC 287 and won the bout via unanimous decision. The fight also earned him the Fight of the Night award.

December 2, 2023: Loss to Sean Brady at UFC on ESPN 52

On December 2, 2023, Kelvin Gastelum faced Sean Brady at UFC on ESPN 52 and lost the fight via a kimura submission in round three.

June 22, 2024: Victory Over Daniel Rodriguez at UFC on ABC 6

On June 22, 2024, Kelvin Gastelum faced Daniel Rodriguez at UFC on ABC 6 and won the fight by unanimous decision. The bout was changed to a middleweight bout due to Gastelum having issues cutting weight.