⚰ Kelvin Gastelum: Darren Till is Irrelevant, Fighting Only for Statement (Highlight Reel GIF)

[ReadWrite]

“At first thought, I was like, ‘I don’t know if it’s worth it for me to accept this kind of fight because he is coming off a two-fight losing streak,'” Gastelum told MMA Junkie. “I feel like I’m still in title contention, and I feel like I should get one of those top guys. But I want to fight in Madison Square Garden.”

. . .

“I put a lot of thought on who my opponent is and why I’m fighting him, and will it get me to the title shot – will it get me closer to where I want to go,” Gastelum said. “I definitely asked those questions, and none of them applied to Darren Till. I don’t think if I win – it’s not going to get me a title shot. It’s not getting me closer. But I just think I need to go out there and make a statement against a guy like Darren Till because of my last performance. I want to go out there, I want to show that I’m still hungry, I’m still in contention, and I’m still one of the best guys around at this weight class.”

“It’s a little scary [at MW],” Gastelum said. “The guys are a little bit bigger, they hit a little harder, but they are a little slower. It’s a little scary. I don’t think it’ll be an easy transition for him. I think he’s going to have trouble with these bigger guys and competing at this weight class, to be honest. He hasn’t fought guys this big, I don’t think. I’ve been fighting middleweights my entire career. I went down to welterweight for a little stint, but then I went back up.”

“I’m expecting a short fight,” Gastelum said. “I’m not trying to go and have another war. I’m going to work hard to try so I can be able to put this guy away.”

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/09/kelvin-gastelum-hesitant-darren-till-fight-ufc-244-title-shot

 

[tenniswhiz]

I’m expecting a short fight too.

I’m expecting exactly what Kelvin is expecting.

 

[FrontNakedChoke]

First round will be very interesting.

 

[Individualthoughtpatterns]

Till will go down in 1 or 2.

 

[Snoowpy]

While Kelvin has smooth hands, he'd be smart not to underestimate anyone at this level.

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

This will be the Bisping fight all over again

 

[Franklin U.]

I dont know about this one - If Kelvin shows up in context to the way hes talking about Till ( even though hes saying otherwise), he'll lose. Heres the thing - because of Tills last 2, I'm a little in the dark exactly where hes at. However if you still consider Darren a talented fighter that could evolve a great deal ( especially because of last 2), this becomes a dangerous situation for Kelvin as both were/are welters and now at 185 but Till the bigger guy and with bigger reach .
Kelvin will be favored no doubt but hmmm, I cant call this one .

 

[Übermacht]

This will be the Bisping fight all over again

Or the Masvidal fight just without Till being able to drop Gas.

 

[Medulla Omoplata]

I think Gas handspeed and boxing is way ahead of Till's. Till gets stopped in the first or second, I picked second but it could go either way.

I think this was a bad matchup to make for Till coming off two KO losses.

 

[Juan Bombadil]

Everyone’s saying that Till will get KOed which seems the obvious scenario because of the past. I think I’ll go against the grain with this one,

 

[ThaiSexPills]

I loke Kelvin but I’d really like to see Till do well in this. Maybe just losing a close decision would be enough to set his career on the ups again.. he certainly needs to make a statement as well.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

This will be the Bisping fight all over again

Till will get rocked and choked unconscious three weeks before the fight?

 

[MDoza]

I think Till misses weight, gets submitted in round 1, then moves to LHW ala Anthony Johnson

 

[Ying Li]

Till is a can.

 

[TheOneAboveAll3]

While Kelvin has smooth hands, he'd be smart not to underestimate anyone at this level.

I think people and even Kelvin may be sleeping on Till. Remember Kelvin is the same guy who had troubles with Neil and lost to him.

 

[Estudante]

I think this was a bad matchup to make for Till coming off two KO losses.

One.

 

[Medulla Omoplata]

One.

oh yeah, my bad.
Similar brain trauma in the Woodley loss though, got dropped hard and then rocked with elbows before the sub.

 

[Blayt7hh]

I think it will take 2 rounds for Kelvin to break him down and finish him. But yeah he is going to whoop Darren’s ass

 

[iwhoopedbatman]

Kelvin probably wins this one regardless, but the way he neglects his wrestling these days bothers me. I don't think he'll ever be top dog just trying to box everyone

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

Gastelum only ko's old men but maybe he can submit Till.