Kelvin Gastelum UFC Noche Interview: 'I Still Haven't Won A World Title And That's What Drives Me'

Last Updated:September 12, 2025, 14:55 IST

Still chasing gold, UFC veteran Kelvin Gastelum opens up on faith, Hall of Fame pride, and why his fight vs Dustin Stoltzfus is the defining moment of his relentless career.

Kelvin Gastelum left college after one year to chase an impossible dream.

The voice carries the weight of a decade-long journey through triumph and heartbreak. At 33, Kelvin Gastelum is three days removed from what many consider a make-or-break fight against Dustin Stoltzfus at Noche UFC. Draped in a chic red bathrobe for an exclusive interview with News18.com, his tone is measured, reflective—a man who has learned to find peace within the storm.

“As someone who never gave up," Gastelum says when asked how he wants to be remembered. “I’ve had a lot of setbacks, and they’ve all been public. But every time, I’ve come back stronger. Hopefully, I’ll be remembered as resilient and someone who didn’t quit on his dreams."

It’s been a long road to this moment. The kid from Yuma, Arizona, who became The Ultimate Fighter 17 champion at just 21, has weathered more professional storms than most fighters endure in their entire careers. Four missed weight cuts, two USADA suspensions for marijuana violations, a motorcycle accident in Thailand, multiple staph infections, and most recently, a disappointing unanimous decision loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC 316 in June.

Still Chasing Gold: The Title Dream That Won’t Die

Yet here he is, still dreaming of championship gold, still believing in the impossible.

“I still haven’t won a world title, and that’s what drives me," Gastelum explains, his eyes lighting up with the same fire that carried him through that unforgettable war with Israel Adesanya in 2019. “If I didn’t believe I could, I wouldn’t still be here."

That Adesanya fight—now immortalised in the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing—represents both Gastelum’s peak and his most painful near-miss. For four and a half rounds, the Mexican-American southpaw went toe-to-toe with the future champion, dropping him in the first round and coming agonizingly close to interim title gold. When asked if he rewatches that classic and thinks ‘I had him,’ Gastelum’s response reveals a mature perspective on his career’s defining moment.

“I don’t watch it much these days, but I did quite a few times before. I don’t think about it like that though. I just remember being there, experiencing the emotions, and the thought process I had at that moment."

The mental fortitude required to bounce back from such high-profile setbacks has been Gastelum’s greatest asset. “A lot of it comes down to faith—faith in yourself, in God, and in the belief that you can achieve what you set your mind to," he reflects. “That’s kept me going for more than 10 years."

Respect and Preparation: Breaking Down the Stoltzfus Challenge

This Saturday at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, Gastelum faces Dustin Stoltzfus, a 33-year-old former Amish fighter from Pennsylvania with a Master’s degree and a dangerous submission game. While critics might view this as a step down in competition for the former interim title challenger, Gastelum understands the stakes perfectly.

“It’s extremely important. This is a fight I need to win. I need to build momentum again, and this win is crucial to get that going."

The preparation has been meticulous. Training alongside Olympic wrestler Pat Downey, Gastelum has focused intensively on defensive grappling. “Mainly control and defense. We’ve been focusing on good offensive and defensive techniques because I know Stoltzfus is a strong wrestler," he explains. The respect for his opponent is genuine—Stoltzfus boasts six submission victories and a 41% takedown accuracy rate in the UFC.

“I think he has a similar style. He’s a good wrestler, a heavy striker, and definitely a dangerous opponent. I’m not underestimating him, but at the same time, I know I have the abilities to beat him."

For Gastelum, this Noche UFC appearance carries special significance. Raised by a single Mexican mother who worked multiple jobs, his cultural identity has always been central to his fighting persona. “I’m excited. I’ve wanted to fight on a Noche card for a while. I was scheduled once before against Shavkat Rakhmonov, but unfortunately, I got injured. So this feels like a dream come true, finally getting to fight on one."

The injury he references—a facial fracture suffered in training—represents just another chapter in a career marked by adversity. Yet Gastelum’s approach to this fight reflects a fighter who has learned to embrace the journey rather than be consumed by the destination.

“In my last few fights, I put a lot of pressure on myself to win. Winning is, of course, very important, but for this fight, I want to ease off the pressure and have fun. That’s usually when I perform my best."

Beyond the Octagon: Building a Legacy Outside Fighting

Beyond the octagon, Gastelum is already building his post-fighting legacy. He co-owns a small MMA promotion in his hometown. “It’s still growing, but it’s been fun and a lot of work. It’s definitely something that will keep me busy after fighting."

The conversation takes a lighter turn when discussing what fans don’t know about the battle-tested veteran. “That I love karaoke," Gastelum reveals with a laugh. His go-to song? “Hotel California" by The Eagles, though he admits you’ll need to get him some soju before he takes the microphone.

Recent recognition has provided perspective on his journey. The Hall of Fame induction for his Adesanya fight still feels surreal. “It still doesn’t feel real, but it’s an incredible honour. I feel very proud of this accomplishment, but at the same time, I know I still have more to achieve."

That “more to achieve" mindset defines Gastelum’s current chapter. Despite the criticism following his weight cutting struggles and recent performances, he remains focused on the possibility rather than the probability. At 33, with a 20-10 professional record and questions about his UFC future swirling, most would understand if he walked away satisfied with his accomplishments.

But Kelvin Gastelum has never been most fighters. He’s the kid who left college after one year to chase an impossible dream. He’s the youngest Ultimate Fighter winner who became a knockout artist and title contender.

“I don’t have many years left, but I’ll enjoy the time I do," he says. On Saturday night, under the bright lights of Noche UFC, that time continues. The dream lives on.

Vineet Ramakrishnan

Vineet R, an accomplished sports journalist with over 13 years of experience in digital media, currently serves as the Associate Editor - Sports at CricketNext and News18 Sports. With a specialization in cricke...Read More

Vineet R, an accomplished sports journalist with over 13 years of experience in digital media, currently serves as the Associate Editor - Sports at CricketNext and News18 Sports. With a specialization in cricke...

Read More

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

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