K. Gastelum (right) defeated I. Heinisch (left) in the UFC 258. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Finally, breathe. In the confrontation against Ian Heinisch, carried out in UFC 258, this Saturday (13), in Las Vegas (USA), Kelvin Gastelum won again. Former challenger for the interim middleweight belt (up to 83,9 kg), Rafael Cordeiro's pupil acted strategically, abused the grappling and overcame his opponent in the judges' unanimous decision. The North American had come from three consecutive defeats.
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With the result, Gastelum ends his winning streak and moves away from the feared Ultimate layoff list. The athlete has not won a commitment since May 2018, when he crashed Ronaldo Jacare, at UFC 224.
Current number 15 in the ranking led by Israel adesanya, Heinisch missed the opportunity to reach the top 10 in the category. If he surpasses his compatriot this weekend, the athlete could take the 9th position occupied by Kelvin.
The fight
Heinisch took the initiative in the confrontation with a low kick. After the action, Ian looked for Gastelum's legs and took his rival to the ground. Kelvin managed to get up, but fell to the ground again. Gastelum managed to reverse the situation and reached his opponent's back. Heinisch managed to get up, but he was still pressed against the bars by Kelvin. Gastelum used his strength and managed a nice takedown on Iam, who fell into a disadvantageous position. Heinisch defended himself well again and got up. Near the final minute, the fighters began exchanging blows in the center of the octagon. After four minutes, Kelvin took down his opponent again, but Ian got up quickly. Before the end of the stage, the athletes studied each other, but without much action.
In the second stage, Kelvin attacked first, with a low kick. Heinisch responded quickly with a right cross, which touched his opponent's face. Gastelum tried to close the distance and was surprised by a flying knee. Kelvin absorbed the blow well and still managed to take his rival to the ground. Ian tried to get up, but his opponent was still glued to his back. Gastelum remained efficient in grappling and tried to eliminate his opponent's space. Ian managed to move away, but his opponent continued walking forward. In the final seconds, Kelvin grabbed his opponent again, but there was no more time.
The last round started off busy, with the fighters exchanging punches and kicks in the center of the octagon. After an exchange of initial blows, Gastelum went back to looking for his rival's legs, but Ian defended himself well. Halfway through the round, Heinisch surprised Kelvin again with a flying knee. But, just like in the previous stage, Gastelum managed to take down his opponent and did not commit a blow. On the ground, Heinisch reversed the position, got to Kelvin's back and attempted a rear naked choke. Kelvin defended well, spun around and the athletes got up. In the final seconds, it was Ian who took his opponent to the ground, but the timer ran to zero.
Alexa Grasso defeats UFC promise
A. Grasso (right) defeated M. Barber (left) in the UFC 258. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the co-main fight of the night, Alexa grasso had a gala performance against the young Maycee barber. In a duel held at flyweight (up to 56,7kg), the Mexican didn't give her rival a chance, won on points, and complicated her opponent's organization.
Currently number 15 in the rankings, Grasso should make an important leap towards the top 10 in the division. By beating Barber, the athlete must take the place of her opponent, currently number 10 in the group led by Valentina Shevchenko.
Considered a great promise for the future of the UFC, Maycee returned to active duty after recovering from a serious knee injury. Against Alexa, however, the 22-year-old was unable to repeat past performances and reached her second negative result in a row.
Ricky Simon makes his lightweight debut with victory over Kelleher
R. Simon (right) defeated B. Kelleher (left) in the UFC 258. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Former bantamweight representative (up to 61,2kg.), Ricky simon had a gala performance in his featherweight debut (up to 65,7kg). In the confrontation against brian kelleher, Simon managed to put the strategy into practice and was superior in the three rounds. At the end of the fight, the athlete was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.
In his second performance in 2021, Ricky confirmed the good phase of his career. The athlete now has three positive results in a row.
In the fight that marked his 34th commitment as a professional in MMA, Kelleher ended up being unsuccessful in his presentation. Hampered by a deep cut that influenced his performance, the North American was unable to add his second consecutive victory.
Julian Marquez turns on Maki Pitolo and submits rival
M. Pitolo was submitted by J. Marquez in the UFC 258. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
In the fight that opened the main card, Julian Marquez staged a major turnaround in Ultimate. At a disadvantage in the first two rounds, the North American showed a lot of heart and recovered in the fight, achieving a submission in the last round.
The duel marked Marquez's return to the Octagon after almost three years away. With the positive result, the average weight (up to 83,9kg.) recovers from its setback to Alessio di chirico, in July 2018.
Pitolo, who had victory in his hands for most of the fight, ends up getting into trouble for good in the UFC. The fighter now has three consecutive defeats and four in the last five clashes. The athlete may be placed on the organization's dreaded exemption list.
UFC 258 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight:: Kamaru Usman derrotou Gilbert Durinho by technical knockout 34 seconds into R3 – Fight for the belt
Fly weight: Alexa grasso derrotou Maycee barber in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Average weight: Kelvin Gastelum derrotou Ian Heinisch in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Feather weight: Ricky simon derrotou brian kelleher in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Average weight: Julian Marquez finished Maki Pitolo with a hand triangle at 4m17s from R3
PRELIMINARY CARD
Average weight: anthony hernandez finished Rudolph Vieira with a guillotine 1m53s from R2
Welterweight Weight: Belal Muhammad | derrotou Dhiego Lima in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Straw weight: Polyana viana finished Mallory Martin with an armbar at 3m18s of R1
Married weight: Chris Gutierrez derrotou Andrew Ewell in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 29-28, 29-27)
Welterweight Weight: Gabe Green derrotou Philip Rowe in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
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