Chris Curtis eyes UFC main event status with win over Kelvin Gastelum

Chris Curtis is potentially on the verge of big things in the UFC, if he can pass his next test.

On April 8 at UFC 287, Curtis (30-9 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will take on arguably his toughest test yet in former interim middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum. Out of Curtis’ previous opponents, Gastelum (17-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) carries the most impressive resume with multiple former champions and title challengers faced.

“This is what I look forward to,” Curtis told MMA Junkie Radio. “These are the fights that I want, man. I know Kelvin, I like Kelvin. Kelvin’s a dog.

“There’s nothing fancy about this fight. It’s like two old World War II tanks just circling and shooting until nothing’s left. So, I’m excited about it.”

The bout will be Curtis’ first appearance of 2023, on the heels of a brutal second-round stoppage of Joaquin Buckley at UFC 282. It was his fourth UFC win, and his third stoppage during his run with the promotion.

Not only has Curtis proven he is an exciting fighter who is climbing the rankings, but he believes it’s time that he gets a bigger spotlight.

“I was trying to push for a Fight Night headliner,” Curtis said. “I wanted to main event, but we’ll get there. I win this one, I think I can ask for a main event.”

Gastelum is in the midst of the roughest stretch of his career, having gone 1-4 after losing his interim title bid in a war for the ages against Israel Adesanya at UFC 236. Despite the skid, Curtis knows exactly what he’s getting into with a grizzled veteran like Gastelum, and will be ready to take main event status if he emerges victorious.