Top middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum came up short at UFC 236 in Atlanta, Georgia, thanks to a strong fifth-round performance from new UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Gastelum was picked apart in the final round and ended up being on the receiving end of the most knockdowns in a title fight in UFC history.
Understandably, he was unable to come face-to-face with the media following his loss to Adesanya and was transported to the local hospital rather than the post-fight press conference.
Following the fight, however, Gastelum broke his silence and commented on his loss.
“This set back as well as all my other setbacks have made me a better person and mixed martial artist,” Gastelum wrote. “One thing about me is I always come back stronger after each loss!! I can’t wait for the future! I’m 27 and We’re only getting started! To God be all the glory for all his blessings because he is good ALL the time! The mission 4 Gold continues!”
You can read Gastelum’s statement in full below:
The full results from Saturday’s pay-per-view can be seen below.
UFC 236 Results
- Israel Adesanya def. Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46) – to win interim middleweight title
- Khalil Rountree def. Eryk Anders via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Dwight Grant def. Alan Jouban via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
- Nikita Krylov def. Ovince Saint Preux via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:30
- Matt Frevola def. Jalin Turner via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alexandre Pantoja def. Wilson Reis via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:58
- Max Griffin def. Zelim Imadaev via majority decision (29-27, 29-27, 28-28)
- Khalid Taha def. Boston Salmon via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:25
- Belal Muhammad def. Curtis Millender via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
- Montel Jackson def. Andre Soukhamthath via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
- Poliana Botelho def. Lauren Mueller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Brandon Davis def. Randy Costa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:12
