The Sky’s The Limit For Kelvin Gastelum

By Adam Martin

One of the best prospects the UFC has seen in years fights this Wednesday night, and if he gets a big win he’ll make a big climb up the UFC welterweight ranks at the tender age of 21. Kelvin Gastelum, the winner of TUF 17 and the third-youngest fighter in the UFC, makes the drop to 170, and in his welterweight debut he takes on Brian Melancon, who is coming off an impressive KO win over Seth Baczynski at UFC 162, on the main card of UFC Fight Night 27.

This is a big fight for both Gastelum and Melancon, but it’s especially important for the youngster at this point of his career, because if Gastelum wins, he will make a serious statement that he should be considered a dark horse at 170 pounds. And he hasn’t even been able to legally drink alcohol for a full calendar year yet.

Gastelum was on no one’s radar before TUF 17, but after he ran the table in the fighter house, and then shocked the world with a split decision win over Uriah Hall at the Finale, the public has taken notice, and that’s why he enters this fight against Melancon as more than a 2-to-1 favorite. And when you consider his skill set, it’s justifiable.

He has effective MMA wrestling, good power, seems to be durable and tough, and he has some slick submissions, too. Plus, the crazy thing is he seems to be rapidly improving from fight to fight. All in all, he’s one of the most well-rounded prospects that I’ve seen in quite a long time, and even if he’s not a specialist in any one area of the game, he’s good in all areas of the game, and that’s good enough to win a lot of fights in the Octagon.

Just look at Matt Brown. He’s not an expert in any area of MMA, but he’s good in all aspects of the game, and that’s why he’s won six straight fights in one of the toughest divisions in all of the UFC. Brown could be considered a title contender now, so why can’t the same thing happen with Gastelum? If anything, the fact that he’s solid in all areas and is not a particular specialist is an advantage, as he doesn’t focus on only using one part of his game to win fights, but instead uses it all together to score his victories.

Gastelum is one of many young fighters in the UFC but the biggest advantage he has over all of them is his experience in the TUF House. For a 21 year old, that’s probably the best thing that could have happened to him, and it’s the experience he gained in the house that will help him reach his potential sooner rather than later.

There aren’t many fighters in the UFC with more potential than Gastelum, and this guy is so good that his potential is going to lead to success quicker than most. And it all starts with a big win over Melancon at UFC Fight Night 27.

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