Noche UFC 3 – Kelvin Gastelum vs Dustin Stoltzfus: Former interim-title challenger Gastelum meets surging Stoltzfus. Can Kelvin’s southpaw burst and boxing entries outpace Stoltzfus’ disciplined counters and clinch trips?
Matchup Middleweight (185 lb)
Tale of the Tape
Age: 33
Height: 5’9" (175 cm)
Reach: 71.5" (182 cm)
Stance: Southpaw
Camp: Fight Ready
Base: Boxer-wrestler / blitz entries
Country: 🇺🇸United States
Age
Height
Reach
Stance
Camp
Base
Country
Age: 33
Height: 6’0" (183 cm)
Reach: 75" (191 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Camp: Xtreme Couture
Base: Muay Thai / grappling blend
Country:
United States🇺🇸
Recent Form Last 5 fights
Kelvin Gastelum
- L vs Joe Pyfer — DEC (UD), UFC 316 (Jun 7, 2025)
- W vs Daniel Rodriguez — DEC (UD), UFC Fight Night (Jun 22, 2024)
- L vs Sean Brady — SUB, UFC Fight Night (Dec 2, 2023)
- W vs Chris Curtis — DEC (UD), UFC 287 (Apr 8, 2023)
- L vs Jared Cannonier — DEC (UD), UFC Fight Night (Aug 21, 2021)
Dustin Stoltzfus
- L vs Nursulton Ruziboev — DEC (UD), UFC Fight Night (May 17, 2025)
- W vs Marc-André Barriault — TKO, UFC Fight Night (Nov 2, 2024)
- L vs Brunno Ferreira — TKO, UFC on ESPN (Jun 8, 2024)
- W vs Punahele Soriano — SUB (RNC), UFC Fight Night (Dec 2, 2023)
- L vs Abusupiyan Magomedov — TKO, UFC Fight Night (Sep 3, 2022)
Styles, Strengths & Weaknesses
Kelvin Gastelum
- Strengths: Explosive southpaw entries; compact boxing combinations; solid defensive wrestling.
- Weaknesses: Reach disadvantage vs longer mids; can get stuck on the fence if volume dips.
- Game Plan: Feint to cross; punch-to-takedown looks; win the footwork battle to keep center.
Dustin Stoltzfus
- Strengths: Consistent jab/low-kick game; sturdy clinch with trips; durable in extended exchanges.
- Weaknesses: Can be timed on entries; recoveries slower after body damage.
- Game Plan: Crowd the pocket; work body/legs; force clinch cycles to tax Kelvin’s burst.
Win Conditions
Gastelum
- Southpaw cross over jab; double-off to keep Stoltzfus honest.
- Exit on angles—avoid prolonged clinch stalls.
- Target counters after low-kick reads; mix level changes late.
Stoltzfus
- Walk Kelvin to fence; inside trips and mat returns.
- Invest in body shots/low kicks to blunt bursts.
- Make it an attrition fight—steady volume over swings.
Prediction
Pick: Kelvin Gastelum by Decision (29-28)
Confidence: ~58% — speed and southpaw entries at range; Stoltzfus’ clinch cycles are a real live path.
FAQ
ESPN: How to watch (Prelims 3pm ET / Main 6pm ET)