Kelvin Gastelum believes both he and Dustin Stoltzfus are on the chopping block heading into UFC Fight Night 259.
Gastelum (19-10 MMA, 13-10 UFC) takes on Stoltzfus (16-7 MMA, 3-6 UFC) in Saturday’s Noche UFC featured main card bout at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. Gastelum, who has seven UFC bonuses to his name, expects a war with Stoltzfus but sees big repercussions if he doesn’t get his hand raised.
“Just depends on how great the danger is,” Gastelum told MMA Junkie Radio. “You’ve got to assess the situation and see if it’s something that I can handle. If not, we’ll have to stay safe. Every round could be different. I think he’s going to be looking to wrestle and box and counter. He does a little bit of everything really well so, it could be a really good fight, maybe even Fight of the Night. I know both of us are in a similar position where one of us might have to go home, the loser.”
Gastelum is only 33 but has been part of the UFC since winning Season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2013. He’s engaged in his fair share of battles – including his war with Israel Adesanya at UFC 236, which was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
“I feel good, man,” Gastelum said. “I feel very, very good physically, but I do feel the years of the wear and tear. I don’t feel old, but I do feel the years have taken a toll on my body a little bit.”
