UFC Vegas 24 live blog: Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum
This is the UFC Vegas 24 live blog for Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum, the middleweight headliner for Saturday’s fight card at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The bout is three years in the making after the two were selected as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 28. Scheduled to face off in a middleweight title fight at UFC 234, then-champ Whittaker was scratched from the fight just hours before curtains when he suffered an abdominal hernia that required surgery. Gastelum went on to face Israel Adesanya for the interim middleweight title and lost the fight via unanimous decision. When Whittaker returned to defend his belt at UFC 243, Adesanya knocked him out to claim the undisputed title.
Since then, Whittaker has rebounded with wins over Darren Till and Jared Cannonier, while Gastelum has gone 1-2 with losses to Till and Jack Hermansson before a recent win against Ian Heinisch. The winner of the bout could get another shot at the middleweight belt.
Check out the UFC Vegas 24 live blog below.
Round 1: Kelvin Gastelum didn’t waste any time getting to the octagon, while Robert Whittaker takes his time making the walk. Herb Dean is the third man in the cage and the main event is underway. Whittaker lands a leg kick early on, followed by a right cross counter. Gastelum lands a hard leg kick of his own and eats a Whittaker left for his troubles. Both guys exchange near the fence wall and Gastelum is pressuring forward, heavy leather being slung. Left hand and a right high kick stings Gastelum, Left hook from Bobby Knuckles lands flush as Gastelum still appears to be stunned. Whittaker gets double under hooks after Gastelum wings a right hand and takes it to the mat.
Short elbow from Whittaker lands as Gastelum is trying to tie up his opponents arms. Whittaker happy in half guard with just over a minute to go and lands a pair of left elbows. Final 20 seconds and Gastelum gets to his feet. Head kick attempt from Whittaker and easily gets the round.
MMAFigthing scores it 10-9 for Whittaker
Round 2: Whittaker looks sharp thus far as he looks to keep the momentum going. Hard combination from Gastelum to start the second and he shoots a single unsuccessfully. Gastelum throwing with vicious intent, but Whittaker does a nice job avoiding damage and landing a pair of jabs. Leg kick from Whittaker and Gastelum pressures forward with a left hand. Right hand thrown from Gastelum, Whittaker gets double unders and takes it back down, only for a moment. Back to the feet and Whittaker lands a jab followed by a left hook.
Right hand from Whittaker lands and Gastelum is starting to show it on his face. Whittaker with another clean right hand, Gastelum answers with a left hook. Final 90 seconds of the round and Whittaker lands a combination up top, followed by a hard leg kick. Left hand over the top from Whittaker, Gastelum lands and now Whittaker is starting to show it. Head kick partially lands for Whittaker as Gastelum tries to chase him down. Beautiful jab from the former champion and Gastelum clinches up. Final 15 seconds and Whittaker gets double under hooks to gain separation. Leg kick from Gastelum checked as the horn sounds.
MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 for Whittaker. 20-18 overall
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
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