Kelvin Gastelum has released a video explaining why he has was forced out of his UFC 273 fight against Dricus Du Plessis.
Gastelum was expected to face Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday but the Frenchman had to pull out due to visa issues. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed Du Plessis would now face Gastelum but just a day or two later, the TUF winner was forced out of the fight due to an injury and he says it was serious and one that he could step into the Octagon with.
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) April 2, 2022
“I wish it was an April Fool’s joke. I wish this didn’t happen, but it did, and unfortunately, I have to withdraw from the fight,” Gastelum said in a Twitter video. “I was advised not to disclose the injury, but just know, I am compromised, and I can’t and won’t be heading into the fight compromised the way that I am. I just have to say sorry to Dricus du Plessis. Sorry I had to pull out this way last minute. You were our last hope to stay on the card, and I was so thankful you accepted the fight, but I did receive an injury shortly after our bouts were signed.
“I was so happy to stay on the card. My team and I did so much work and we were proud of that work that we put over the last six months. … Sorry to my team, as well, the people over at Fight Ready. There’s so many people that put in so much effort for me to be able to perform. I was so ready. I felt like it was a restart in my career, a restart toward another title run,” Gastelum continued.
“I really felt that way, but unfortunately that’s going to be postponed a little bit. Just know we were so ready, and I’m thankful to the fans that stuck by me. It’s going to be worth it. … I’m not done, far from it. Sorry to the fans. Sorry to my team. Sorry to Dricus. I’m going to get healed up, get ready for the next one, and go on another title run.”
Kelvin Gastelum is currently on a two-fight losing streak as he lost back-to-back main event decisions to Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker. He’s currently just 1-5 in his last six with his lone win coming over Ian Heinisch.
