As we gear up for the third edition of UFC Noche, all eyes are on former middleweight title contender Kelvin Gastelum as he takes on Dustin Stoltzfus in a matchup that’s already brimming with excitement. In a surprising turn, Gastelum came in five pounds over the limit, leading the promotion to shift the fight to a catchweight bout. Even with the challenges he faced, he made his way into the Octagon—but fans were left wondering: would he rise to the occasion?

The miss didn’t entirely shock anyone. After all, Kelvin Gastelum entered his 25th UFC fight carrying a well-documented history of weight struggles, having missed weight on four previous occasions. UFC brass, led by Dana White, has consistently cracked down on repeat offenders—cutting Bryan Battle after two consecutive misses and recently releasing Losene Keita for similar issues.

At UFC Noche, the Arizona native faced additional consequences, forfeiting 35% of his purse while also drawing criticism from fellow fighters like Derek Brunson and Belal Muhammad. Yet, he delivered inside the Octagon, earning a clear decision over Stoltzfus with judges scoring it 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.

Still, the win failed to quiet the critics. Indeed, analysts and fans slammed Kelvin Gastelum despite his post-fight apologies. Known for his betting strategies, Liam said: “Gastelum’s apologies ring so hollow Imao dude doesn’t even try to make weight. You don’t miss by six pounds and look fat as a house if you’re a full-time professional athlete.”

At 33, Gastelum finds himself at a crossroads. His career has fallen short of the promise that once surrounded him, and frustration among fans is mounting. Many are now calling for accountability—both from Gastelum and from the UFC.

Fans slam Gastelum as a ‘blatant cheater’ after controversial UFC Noche win

Kelvin Gastelum’s UFC journey kicked off with a bang, as he stormed onto the scene with an impressive five-fight win streak that quickly earned him a spot in the hearts of fans. Despite his potential, ongoing weight challenges, inconsistency, and recent hurdles have hindered his progress. While a title run seems out of reach at the moment, with some smart weight management and the right matchups, Gastelum still has the chance to keep his career alive and put on some unforgettable fights for the fans.

Most recently, the controversy at UFC Noche only added fuel to the fire, drawing sharp criticism from both fans and media. Veteran journalist Luke Thomas didn’t mince words, taking aim at both Gastelum and the UFC. “I’m not sure what UFC is supposed to do with Gastelum. He still has skills, but the inability to move on from weight issues even at 185 this late in his career makes him a liability,” Thomas posted on X.

To give you a clearer picture, even though Thomas might have exaggerated the weight situation, he’s not off base in describing Gastelum as a journeyman fighter. One of his standout moments has to be the 2019 interim title fight against Israel Adesanya—a matchup that many doubted he could take, but he came incredibly close to pulling off a stunning upset. This epic clash has been recognized as Fight of the Year by top outlets like ESPN, MMA Fighting, and Sherdog. Fast forward to 2025, and the UFC made sure to honor it by enshrining it in the Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing.

Nevertheless, that legendary fight hasn’t shielded him from fan backlash. Critics online turned ruthless: “Kelvin Gastelum’s fat a– is stealing a UFC roster spot he doesn’t deserve,” wrote one, while another added, “Blatant cheater.” Perhaps because of this, Dana White continues showing unusual patience with Gastelum, keeping him on the roster when others would have been cut—largely because of his résumé and name value.

Looking ahead, speculation continues about Gastelum’s future. Some fans have suggested a retirement rematch with Adesanya as ‘The Last Stylebender’ approaches the twilight of his career. “Retirement fight rematch against Izzy,” one fan pitched. Meanwhile, others, less forgiving of Gastelum’s weight struggles, urged the UFC to send him up a division. “Make him fight Sergei Pavlovich if they don’t cut him,” another fan demanded.