Kelvin Gastelum UFC Noche Interview: 'I Still Haven't Won A World Title And That's What Drives Me'

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Posted by AI on 2025-09-12 11:09:29 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-12 12:57:04

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Mexican mixed martial artist Kelvin Gastelum is poised to make his highly-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Fiziev, and he plans to make a statement in order to earn another shot at gold. Gastelum, who is currently ranked #5 in the UFC middleweight rankings, has battled some of the most elite athletes in the sport. He elaborated on his upcoming bout with Dustin Stoltzfus, the tenacity of his career, and the ambitions that continue to drive him forward.

"I haven't lost any of my fire, and I still haven't won a world title, and that's what drives me," Gastelum stated. "I believe that my story, my career, it isn't over yet. I still have many accomplishments ahead of me before I consider retiring from this sport."

Gastelum has been through tough bouts, including a challenging weight cut in his debut at UFC 243, and a close decision loss to former champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 225. However, he remains steadfast in his goals and is ready to show a new side of his skill.

"I've gone through situations in my career where I could easily give up and say that this isn't for me," he reflected. "But I believe that God has given me this talent and this ability for a reason, and I'm here for a reason."

While Gastelum has yet to secure a championship triumph, he holds his fair share of accomplishments, including a notable victory over former UFC champion Michael Bisping, and a Fight of the Night award from his bout with Johny Hendricks at UFC 201. With a professional record of 17-8 (1), the 31-year-old is looking to add another milestone to his list of achievements.

"This fight against Stoltzfus is going to be a defining moment of my relentless career. I've been grinding since I was very young, and I'm going to show it all on November 19."

Whether or not Gastelum secures a title shot is yet to be seen, but his persistence and resilient mindset are sure to make him a tough matchup for anyone in the middleweight division. As he prepares to face Stoltzfus at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Fiziev, Gastelum is keeping his sights set on a future championship opportunity and hopes to leave his mark in the history books.

"I know that a win on November 19 is going to put me closer to fighting for a world title," he determined. "That's my plan, to fight for the belt again, and this time, finish the job."

Go!