The return to Middleweight for 17 TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum (10-1) will happen at UFC 188 against former UFC Middleweight title challenger and former Strikeforce Welterweight champion Nate “The Great” Marquardt (33-14-2).
Gastelum returns to 185 lbs. after missing weight for 2 of his 5 UFC Welterweight bouts where the limit is 171 lbs. Gastelum at UFC 180 scored the biggest win of his career submitting Jake Ellenberger, but at UFC 183 after missing weight lost for the first time in his career to Tyron Woodley by way of split decision. Gastelum was then order by the UFC to return to Middleweight because of the weight-making issue.
Marquardt debuted in Strikeforce at 170 lbs. knocking out Tyron Woodley to win the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight title. Marquardt would then loose 3 straight at Welterweight to Tarec Saffiedine (UD), Jake Ellenberger (KO), and Hector Lombard (KO). Marquardt himself returned to the more makeable 185 lbs. weight class and submitted James Te Huna with an armbar. Marquardt will now be looking to rebound form a UFC 182 unanimous decision loss to Brad Tavares.
UFC 188 is on June 13 at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico; and is headlined by Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez unifying the UFC World Heavyweight title.
UFC 185 Line Up
Cain Velasquez (13-1) vs. Fabricio Werdum (19-5-1) – Heavyweight Title
Gilbert Melendez (22-4) vs. Eddie Alvarez (25-4) – Lightweight
Kelvin Gastelum (10-1) vs. Nate Marquardt (33-14-2) – Middleweight
Cathal Pendred (16-2-1) vs. Augusto Motano (15-1) – Welterweight
Tecia Torres (5-0) vs. Angela Hill (2-0) – Woman’s Strawweight
Charles Rosa (10-1) vs. Yair Rodriguez (4-1) – Featherweight
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