Kelvin Gastelum took advantage of the opportunity, knocking Michael Bisping out quickly in the UFC Shanghai main event.
Kelvin Gastelum won his season of The Ultimate Fighter despite being the last man picked on the show. Since then, he’s had a great UFC career, going 8-3 with one knockout win overturned for marijuana usage. Gastelum is 2-1 since making his latest move to 185-pounds, most recently getting choked out by Chris Weidman.
Michael Bisping steps into this one replacing Anderson Silva just three weeks after his title fight against Georges St. Pierre. Bisping miraculously won the title a little over a year ago with an unbelievable knockout against the dangerous Luke Rockhold. Bisping only defended the belt once, but it was as unlikely a title reign as they come. “The Count” has already announced retirement plans for next year’s event in London.
Kelvin Gastelum wasted no time working for his left hand, throwing it twice in the first 30 seconds. A heavy body kick landed for Gastelum, then the fighters clinched up momentarily after a short shot from Bisping. The fighters separated and another body kick landed for Gastelum.
The former champion landed a combination and Gastelum answered with a body kick. Gastelum threw his patented one-two and Bisping was knocked out immediately. Bisping was not getting up from that one as he landed at the feet of Gastelum, then secured the win with heavy ground and pound.
After taking a tough loss against a former champion in Chris Weidman (in which Gastelum nearly scored the knockout), he gets a big win over the most recent champion. Gastelum called this “the biggest win of his career” in the post-fight interview.
Kelvin Gastelum threw his name in the hat for Robert Whittaker’s first title defense as well.
Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping by KO (Left Hook) in Round 1 (2:30)
