Kelvin Gastelum Talks Jon Jones Controversy, Gives Advice To Embattled Star
Kelvin Gastelum Talks Jon Jones Controversy, Gives Advice To Embattled Star
UFC middleweight Kelvin Gastelum gives his take on the continued missteps of embattled star Jon Jones.
Kelvin Gastelum is no stranger to the rough road traveled to living up to his full potential.
The Ultimate Fighter winner turned two-divisional title threat has endured peaks and valleys throughout his time in the UFC. Yet and still, nothing has stopped the hard-charging powerhouse from keeping his positive mindset intact. And because of his personal experience in the fight game, Gastelum has hope for one of the biggest stars in the sport he loves in Jon Jones.
The embattled pound-for-pound great has overcome self-imposed strife time and time again, but with his recent situation caused by a failed drug test in his fight against Daniel Cormier at last month's UFC 214 -- which ended in a third-round stoppage win by Jones following his return from a year-long suspension -- the road forward could very well be darker and more ominous than anything the former light heavyweight king has ever faced.
Nevertheless, Gastelum shared some insight with FloCombat and wished nothing but the best for Jones going forward.
Photo Credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
"It all depends on the person," Gastelum said. "If [Jones] knows he has a problem, then he also knows he needs to attack that problem head on. I'm the type of person that attacks my issues head on no matter what it is, and that's exactly what he needs to do here. The first step is to admit it and then attack it because these things either break you or remake you, and so far it hasn't done anything for Jon but break him down even more. I feel bad for him. I truly do.
"You're your own worst enemy here, dude. You have to either do this the right way or don't do it at all. I have hope he can find his way because he's a great fighter. Time will tell though."
While due process will need to play out before the man widely recognized at the GOAT of MMA will know his fate, Gastelum is set to face the man Jones replaced as the greatest fighter alive in Anderson Silva when the UFC debuts in Shanghai on Nov. 25.
The Ultimate Fighter winner turned two-divisional title threat has endured peaks and valleys throughout his time in the UFC. Yet and still, nothing has stopped the hard-charging powerhouse from keeping his positive mindset intact. And because of his personal experience in the fight game, Gastelum has hope for one of the biggest stars in the sport he loves in Jon Jones.
The embattled pound-for-pound great has overcome self-imposed strife time and time again, but with his recent situation caused by a failed drug test in his fight against Daniel Cormier at last month's UFC 214 -- which ended in a third-round stoppage win by Jones following his return from a year-long suspension -- the road forward could very well be darker and more ominous than anything the former light heavyweight king has ever faced.
Nevertheless, Gastelum shared some insight with FloCombat and wished nothing but the best for Jones going forward.
Photo Credit: © Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
"It all depends on the person," Gastelum said. "If [Jones] knows he has a problem, then he also knows he needs to attack that problem head on. I'm the type of person that attacks my issues head on no matter what it is, and that's exactly what he needs to do here. The first step is to admit it and then attack it because these things either break you or remake you, and so far it hasn't done anything for Jon but break him down even more. I feel bad for him. I truly do.
"You're your own worst enemy here, dude. You have to either do this the right way or don't do it at all. I have hope he can find his way because he's a great fighter. Time will tell though."
While due process will need to play out before the man widely recognized at the GOAT of MMA will know his fate, Gastelum is set to face the man Jones replaced as the greatest fighter alive in Anderson Silva when the UFC debuts in Shanghai on Nov. 25.