In a battle of middleweight contenders, Kelvin Gastelum and “Jacare” Souza went toe-to-toe and a title challenger emerged after a hard fought battle.
Round One:
Gastelum stuffs a takedown from “Jacare” who shoots from outside. Gastelum lands a knee and the two clinch. Jacare now has Gastelum’s back against the cage, the Brazilian pulls guard and goes for a kneebar but sweeps Gastelum and lands into side control.
Jacare gets mount and it’s not looking good for Gastelum. Jacare is fishing for an arm-triangle, and eventually goes for an armbar.
Gastelum survives but barely. Jacare 10-9.
Round Two:
Gastelum finding a home for his left hand and another Jacare takedown is stuffed. Jacare lands a massive right hand. Gastelum with another solid left, but Jacare is landing good right hooks.
Gastelum denying Jacare’s takedowns is the main story of round two.
Round Three:
Jacare keeps going for the takedown, but Gastelum is repeatedly denying them. The former welterweight is landing and dictating the pace, and the action slowly comes to the end of round three with not much done by either man.
Gastelum Wins Via Split Decision 29-28.
Gastelum won two straight, and four of five minus a no-contest. Souza lost for the second time in his last three Octagon appearances.
Check out the action below:
THE ONE – TWO!@KelvinGastelum #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/zroic1dDMV
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
JACARE IS RALLYING IN ROUND TWO! #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/BYhYvrKeUS
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018
Full fight highlights below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw4ItMqWrVY
Winning moments:
🗣 BY SPLIT DECISION… KELVIN GASTELUM. #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/YblmIm19ka
— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018