R. Jacaré (photo) asks for a new fight against K. Gastelum. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/RonaldoJacaré
The Brazilian Ronaldo Jacare seems to have overcome the defeat to Jack hermansson at the end of April, at UFC Fort Lauderdale. The athlete published, last Thursday afternoon (16), on Instagram, about his desire to repeat the clash against Kelvin Gastelum, by whom he was defeated in May 2018. The situation confirms that the former 'Strikeforce' champion has not yet ruled out his desire to fight for the UFC middleweight title (under 83,9kg).
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“I would love to have a rematch against Kelvin Gastelum. I have also requested this fight from the 'matchmaker' (responsible for matching fights between Ultimate athletes), Mick Maynard. I hope that the UFC and Gastelum accept my request”, published Jacaré.
When the athletes faced each other, at UFC 224, Jacaré was experiencing a similar situation to what he experienced last month. If he defeated Kelvin, the Brazilian would be very close to the much-desired duel for the division title. However, for the second time, the plot unfolded against the Espírito Santo's plans. Ronaldo was defeated in a controversial decision by the judges who declared, in a split decision, victory in favor of the North American.
Another similar case occurred when Jacaré ventured into a clash against the current linear champion of the division, Robert whittaker, in 2017. Well-known in the category and close to fighting for the division's interim belt, Ronaldo accepted a fight against Whittaker, but was surprised by an overwhelming knockout in the second round, which put the Brazilian back on the waiting list.
In 2019, Jacaré, already with the concrete promise of a fight for the middleweight title in case of victory in his next fight, found himself in the middle of a real confusion of changing opponents for the fight card. UFC Fort Lauderdale, which took place on April 27th. Between comings and goings, Yoel romero e Paulo borrachinha were close to facing Espírito Santo, however, neither of them could fulfill their commitment and it was up to Jack hermansson the role of standing up to Ronaldo.
More experienced and technical, many thought that this would be just another test for the Brazilian. However, MMA has shown that it is a box of surprises. Jack not only defeated Jacaré, but also surpassed the athlete in his old position in the division ranking.
The challenge to Kelvin could, however, be a motivational factor for Jacaré, who needs a victory over a great fighter to prove that he can still be considered a respected name in the division.
Recently, Gastelum was the protagonist of a historic duel against the Nigerian Israel adesanya for the interim division title. The American was defeated, but he sold the belt for a lot and, today, he is more respected than ever among Ultimate fighters and management.
Currently, Kelvin occupies fourth place in the division ranking, while Jacaré is in sixth. The duel between the two could generate a greater level of competitiveness towards the belt. On this occasion, however, the Brazilian would have a real obligation to win so as not to definitively say 'goodbye' to his long-awaited chance of becoming UFC champion.
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