Gastelum loses to Cannonier

The Mexican-American was defeated by unanimous decision and suffered his fifth loss in his last six fights.
Mexican-American Kelvin Gastelum suffered another loss that puts him further away from the possibility of fighting again for a title shot at middleweight in the UFC.

Gastelum lost a unanimous decision to Jared Cannonier on identical 48-47 scorecards after five rounds in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the APEX in Las Vegas.

It was Gastelum’s fifth loss in his last six fights and dropped him to 16-8, while Cannonier improved his record to 14-5, rebounding from his recent unanimous decision loss to former champion Robert Whittaker.

After five intense rounds, this bout could be a serious contender for fight of the year.

“It’s always glorious to fight five rounds with a guy like Kelvin at that level,” Cannonier stated after the fight. “To win is even more glorious, I’m happy.

“I’m broke, so I need to fight. I’m hoping to get a title shot. But the right name might make me say yes.”

In the co-main event, Mark Madsen defeated veteran Clay Guida by split decision in their lightweight bout and at heavyweight Parker Porter defeated Chase Sherman by unanimous decision.

The card also featured Brazilian flyweight contender Alexander Pantoja, who submitted Brandon Royval in two rounds with a rear-naked choke, and Chile’s Ignacio Bahamondes, who defeated Roosevelt Roberts with a spectacular head kick knockout in their lightweight fight on the preliminary card.