Gastelum eyes ‘inevitable’ rematch with Adesanya
Kelvin Gastelum is prepared to bide his time for another shot at Israel Adesanya, but says a rematch with the new UFC middleweight champion is ‘‘inevitable’’.
Adesanya beat Gastelum for the interim title in an all-time classic in April, before going on to claim the undisputed crown last month courtesy of a second-round knockout of Robert Whittaker.
Plans for the ‘Last Stylebender’s’ first title defence hit a setback this week when UFC president Dana
White revealed fellow undefeated fighter Paulo Costa was ruled out for eight months with a biceps injury.
While Cuban powerhouse Yoel Romero has already been hinted as a likely replacement for the bout that is rumoured to take place in March, the fourth-ranked Gastelum knows he could make a strong case for a title shot with a dominant display over Darren Till at UFC 244 in New York tomorrow.
‘‘Hey, my chances just grew higher to fight for the title,’’ he told
‘‘I
think
people would
like
to enjoy a second part of that [Adesanya matchup]. I feel if I’m able to be 100 per cent healthy for a fight against ‘Izzy’ the result can be different.’’
But Gastelum insisted he wouldn’t have a problem if Romero was chosen ahead of him.
‘‘I wouldn’t be mad if they booked the fight, but I feel if I go out there and make a statement against Darren that rematch with ‘Izzy’ is inevitable,’’ he said. ‘‘I could be next in line if I go out there and put a stamp on him.’’
There would be no shortage of interest in a rematch between
Adesanya and Gastelum given the thrilling nature of their first meeting. Gastelum handed the Nigerianborn Kiwi the toughest test of his MMA career before Adesanya pulled away with a sensational final round to earn a unanimous decision.
Many felt Gastelum laid the blueprint for Whittaker to beat Adesanya at UFC 243 as he was able to close the distance on several occasions.
But Gastelum praised Adesanya for taking his game to a new level since they met – and he’s planning to do likewise against Till.
‘‘My respect for Izzy grew a lot after his last fight. He made me a fan but it don’t mean I’m not coming after him,’’ Gastelum said.
‘‘He’s only getting better. You don’t go through a fight like that and not get better.
‘‘We only levelled up after that and I feel like it’s going to be really hard to beat him, and at this point it’s going to be really hard to beat me as well.’’
Prior to his loss to Adesanya, Gastelum was scheduled to fight Whittaker for the title in February before the New Zealand-born Australian pulled out with a freak abdominal injury.