Kelvin Gastelum faced a tough setback at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, losing to Joe Pyfer via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 29-28) in a middleweight bout in Newark, New Jersey. Despite showing resilience after being dropped twice in the first round, Gastelum couldn’t overcome Pyfer’s power and striking precision, marking his second loss in his last three fights. At 33, with a UFC record of 13-10 and a storied career including a 2019 interim title challenge against Israel Adesanya, Gastelum remains a durable veteran but is at a crossroads in the middleweight division.
Next up for Kelvin Gastelum should be a middleweight clash against Michel Pereira. Pereira, coming off a unanimous decision loss to Abusupiyan Magomedov at UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates on April 26, 2025, is known for his explosive athleticism, flashy striking, and submission skills. With a UFC record of 8-4 since 2019, Pereira’s recent losses have come against top competition, but his three-fight win streak prior to October 2024 showcases his dangerous potential.
This matchup pits Gastelum’s experience, wrestling, and legendary chin against Pereira’s dynamic striking and grappling, promising an exciting stylistic clash. A win could keep Gastelum relevant in the division, while a loss might signal a need for a new chapter, potentially at welterweight or against lower-ranked opponents.
Last Five Fights (Kelvin Gastelum):
1. Loss to Joe Pyfer – Decision (unanimous), UFC 316 (June 7, 2025)
2. Win over Daniel Rodriguez – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov (June 22, 2024)
3. Loss to Sean Brady – Submission (kimura), UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan (December 2, 2023)
4. Win over Chris Curtis – Decision (unanimous), UFC 287 (April 8, 2023)
5. Loss to Jared Cannonier – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum (August 21, 2021)
Last Five Fights (Michel Pereira):
1. Loss to Abusupiyan Magomedov – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates (April 26, 2025)
2. Loss to Anthony Hernandez – TKO (elbows), UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira (October 19, 2024)
3. Win over Ihor Potieria – Submission (guillotine choke), UFC 301 (May 4, 2024)
4. Win over Michał Oleksiejczuk – Technical Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC 299 (March 9, 2024)
5. Win over Andre Petroski – TKO (punches), UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza (October 14, 2023)
