UFC veteran Kelvin Gastelum has built a long career in the promotion, competing across multiple divisions. However, Gastelum has consistently struggled to make weight in nearly every class he has fought in.
Gastelum’s most recent weight issue came at UFC Noche, where he failed to make the middleweight limit for his bout with Dustin Stoltifiz. Despite missing weight, the fight went ahead, and Gastelum secured a win. Still, his performance left many questioning his discipline, with MMA coach Ray Longo suggesting Gastelum may be battling an eating disorder.
In a recent podcast appearance, Longo shared his perspective on Gastelum’s struggles.
“I like Kelvin,” Longo said. “He’s really been a nice guy from the first day I met him, but I do think he’s got a serious eating disorder. He might fall into a category. He’s struggling or something. I believe he’s struggling. I don’t think it’s that he doesn’t care.”
Gastelum has never publicly admitted to having physical or psychological issues with his weight. Still, Longo has witnessed countless weight cuts throughout his career. While he sympathizes with Gastelum, he can’t fully understand why the fighter continues to face the same problems.
“I really believe this guy struggles with something or his body’s not responding like a normal person,” Longo said. “I don’t know. I could be completely wrong. I feel bad for him because it’s not a good look. Again, don’t sign the agreement if you can’t make the weight. I just watched my guy [Freddy Vidal] almost die, seriously, cutting 30 pounds. He had to go another five in six days.
“I saw [Chris] Weidman kill himself. Wouldn’t accept three pounds. He just wouldn’t do it.”
As punishment for his miss, Gastelum was fined 35 percent of his purse. Over time, he has already forfeited a significant portion of his earnings due to repeated weight issues.
Longo also argued that responsibility doesn’t lie solely with Gastelum. He believes the UFC shares part of the blame for continuing to book him under such conditions.
“Thirty-five percent is a big number,” Longo said. “That’s why I say he’s definitely not motivated by money because that’s a big chunk to come out of your paycheck.”
“Part of the play, I don’t want to say this, is the UFC, too,” Longo added. “They’re asking a guy on a month’s notice to fight, and it’s the old saying, ‘You put a gun in a monkey’s hand and he shoots somebody, whose fault is it? That’s what they did. They know the guy can’t make the weight; most likely, it’s not in their favor. Go with a guy that’s a guaranteed lock.”
