Kelvin Gastelum says even UFC brass are doubting he can make welterweight: 'I'm going to prove everybody wrong'

Kelvin Gastelum is eager to prove doubters wrong in his return to 170 pounds – including the higher-ups in the UFC.

Gastelum (18-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC) meets Sean Brady (15-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 2, which does not yet have an announced date or location.

Gastelum hasn’t competed at welterweight since January 2015, when he missed weight by a whopping nine pounds in his split decision loss to Tyron Woodley. He also missed weight by almost two pounds in his win over Nico Musoke in June 2014, but Gastelum vows that his weight mishaps are behind him.

“I know there’s people doubting me, there’s people doubting that I’m going to make the weight,” Gastelum said on his YouTube channel. “I think even some of the bosses are doubting me. I’m going to prove everybody wrong, I’ll tell you that. I’m working with the UFC nutritionists. They’re giving me plans, and I’m going to follow it to a ‘T.’

“I have no doubt I’m going to make the weight on Dec. 1, and I’m going to look incredible. I’m going to look shredded. I know there’s a lot of you guys doubting me that I can do this, but I’m going to do it.”

Gastelum was scheduled to face Shavkat Rakhmonov at Noche UFC earlier this month but withdrew due to injury. Before he was forced out, Rakhmonov was poking fun at Gastelum’s weight, and the former interim title challenger would have loved the opportunity to fight him.

How’s your diet going @KelvinGastelum ? Are you ready for UFC 295? https://t.co/MiiXyus9Gs

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) September 22, 2023

He gets Brady instead, who he still views as a formidable opponent.

“Sean Brady is no pushover, either,” Gastelum said. “Before he fought Belal (Muhammad), he was undefeated and I think he had several knockouts along with that undefeated status. So this is no pushover by any means.”