Is Gastelum the Future of the Middleweight Division?

This past Saturday night in Shanghai, China at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs Gastelum, Kelvin Gastelum shocked not just the country of China, but the entire world when he knocked out Michael Bisping within the first round. Bisping was coming off of a loss to the legendary Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 for the Middleweight Championship. He then took the latest fight against Gastelum on short notice, due to Anderson Silva having to pull out because of the failure of his second drug test.

Gastelum has been on a roll since signing with the UFC back in 2014, despite losses to current Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley, Neil Magry, and former Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman. Gastelum also holds wins over many high-profile fighters such as Uriah Hall, Jake Ellenberger, Johnny Hendricks, Tim Kennedy, and now Bisping.

Gastelum, 15-3-1, is ranked ninth in the Middleweight division of the UFC. He would likely have to defeat Derek Brunson and/or Luke Rockhold in order to become eligible to challenge for the Middleweight Championship. Although, as we’ve witnessed, Gastelum has already expressed interest in going up against GSP or interim Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker.

With 2018 just around the corner, Gastelum is not far from claiming the gold, as long as he can keep up with his current pace. Gastelum in all likelihood become the next Middleweight Champion, or he could just as easily fold under the pressure.

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

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