Kelvin Gastelum is down, but he doesn’t feel out after UFC on ESPN 22.
This past Saturday, Gastelum was soundly defeated in the night’s main event, dropping a clean-sweep unanimous decision to former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
Gastelum (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) wasn’t available to speak to the media after the loss. On Monday night, though, he issued a statement in which he seemed upbeat despite losing for the fourth time in his past five fights (via Twitter):
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) April 19, 2021
Getting an onslaught of amazing messages and I’m glad ppl enjoyed the fight. Thank you all for sending even the slightest positive gesture and messages. I still believe I can get the job done and be one of the best! I wouldn’t say that just to saty it, I believe it with my heart. I am learnign so much from my opponents and I will make the necessary adjustments for the next battle. We’re on to the next one. #OnAmission4Gold.
It’s been a rough go for Gastelum, 29, since he lost to current champ Israel Adesanya in the 2019 “Fight of the Year” for the then-vacant 185-pound title. Gastelum followed up with two more losses to Darren Till and Jack Hermansson but snapped his three-fight losing streak in February with a unanimous decision against Ian Heinisch before losing to Whittaker.
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/ufc-kelvin-gastelum-issues-statement-after-robert-whittaker-loss