Kelvin Gastelum speaks out against GSP getting a title shot, asks why have contender rankings (w/Cervantes Analysis)

By Jonathan Cervantes, MMATorch contributor

Kelvin Gastelum (photo credit Tom Szczerbowski © USA Today Sports)

Although he made quick work of Vitor Belfort, Kelvin Gastelum is already looking ahead to his next opponent in the UFC Middleweight Division.

When discussing who he’d like to fight next Gastelum was quick to say he’d like to fight the most decorated Middleweight history. He said at the post-fight press conference that Anderson Silva is “a big name, he’s another legend, and he’s ranked above me, and I want to keep moving up the rankings. And I want the fight that will eventually lead me to a title shot.”

He also voiced his displeasure with how the UFC granted the returning George St. Pierre a Middleweight Title shot against Michael Bisping, bypassing other ranked contenders.

“What’s the point of having contenders? What’s the point of having rankings if we’re not going to follow the rankings, or we’re not going to the number 1 contenders?” he said. “It just doesn’t make any sense. Now everybody wants those big money fights, and it just doesn’t make any sense to have any rankings if we’re going to keep doing that stuff.”

Gastelum is currently riding a three fight win streak and is ranked 10th in the UFC Middleweight division.

Cervantes Analysis: I really hope he stays at 185 because the cut to 170 has proved too difficult for him time and time again. He’s had great success in this division and I think he’s got a real shot at the title once he wins a few more big fights. I agree completely with his thoughts on the ranking system and find it extremely unfair to the fighters who have earned shots. The division has more worthy fighters than ever at the top of the division and the UFC is stalling it and forcing them to wait for GSP to fight Bisping. Hopefully after that fight takes place we’ll get back to the traditional style of earning and receiving title fights.

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