Surging UFC middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum did everything in his power to campaign for a title shot against Robert Whittaker, but the UFC decided former champion Luke Rockhold was more deserving of the opportunity.
With Rockhold booked to challenge Whittaker for the official 185-pound title on Feb. 11 at UFC 221 in Perth, Australia, given that Georges St-Pierre has vacated the belt, Gastelum is in need of a new opponent.
According to renowned MMA manager Malki Kawa, who works with the likes of Jon Jones and Yoel Romero, Gastelum turned down a fight with ‘Soldier of God’ at UFC Belem.