Legendary Coach Claims ‘Eating Disorder’ as Reason Behind Kelvin Gastelum’s Weigh-Ins Disasters 

Ray Longo talks in detail about UFC middleweight veteran Kelvin Gastelum’s recent weight miss by 5lbs at Noche UFC. 

Legendary Coach Claims ‘Eating Disorder’ as Reason Behind Kelvin Gastelum’s Weigh-Ins Disasters 

Ray Longo believes Kelvin Gastelum is suffering from an eating disorder (via X)

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Kelvin Gastelum has now been competing in the UFC for more than 12 years, establishing himself as a true veteran. Throughout his career inside the Octagon, the durable fighter has gone through 31 professional MMA bouts, showcasing consistent determination. At the young age of 33, Gastelum recently returned to Noche UFC’s main card, securing a unanimous decision win.

While the victory was significant for Gastelum’s career, the primary discussion among fans still focused entirely on his weight miss. The middleweight fighter officially stepped onto the scales at 191 pounds, which was 5 pounds over the division’s non-title upper limit. 

This marked his 5th unfortunate weight miss in professional UFC competition, raising legitimate questions about his training discipline and overall lifestyle management. Recently, during an interview, respected coach Ray Longo discussed Gastelum’s situation, suggesting potentially deeper personal and professional issues. 

I do think he’s got a serious eating disorder. He might fall into a category. He’s struggling or something. I believe he’s struggling. I don’t think it’s that he doesn’t care. I really believe this guy struggles with something or his body’s not responding like a normal person.

Ray Longo via Anik & Florian Podcast

Gastelum has never admitted to any physical complications regarding his struggles with weight. Despite Longo’s measured words, the recurring pattern of missing weight has remained one of the most significant challenges across Gastelum’s career. Before competing at middleweight, the former 185lbs interim title challenger enjoyed considerable success in the welterweight division, showcasing excellent performances. 

His very first notable weight miss occurred in 2014, but nobody expected it to become a repetitive mistake. In 2015, Gastelum again missed weight against Tyron Woodley, while the UFC 205 cancellation versus Donald Cerrone further cemented his recurring problem. 

Last weekend at Noche UFC, Gastelum went through a bloody and exhausting war against Dustin Stoltzfus, eventually emerging victorious. Despite the hard-earned win, Gastelum was fined 35 percent of his fight purse, a punishment considered financially demoralizing. Longo described the situation as extremely serious but also blamed UFC officials for allowing Gastelum just four preparation weeks.

UFC veteran wasn’t ready to give Kelvin Gastelum an interview at Noche UFC 

Making weight is considered one of the most critical aspects of UFC, and fighters often lose respect when opponents fail. Not cutting weight is frequently viewed as extremely unprofessional because meeting the contracted weight limit is a fundamental part. In order to achieve this, many athletes willingly endure an extremely grueling ordeal since weight cutting is notoriously difficult and dangerous.

Kelvin Gastelum has bounced back from his previous loss
Kelvin Gastelum has bounced back from his previous loss (via X)

The weight-cutting is often described as the toughest part of fight week, sometimes harder than the fight itself, physically and mentally. Many notable fighters, including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cris Cyborg, have been hospitalized due to failed weight-cut attempts.

As a result, Kelvin Gastelum has often been criticised by the fight fans and other experts, such as Daniel Cormier, who recently spoke about the incident. 

Missing weight by that much… It’s unfair man and I don’t know how to judge Gastelum. Honestly, it was so bad guys that we thought about not doing the interview because you should feel something negatively whenever you don’t make the weight or you show up like that. I get it, he took the fight on four weeks notice but that’s a month to get ready.

Daniel Cormier via YouTube 

Cormier, himself, infamously used a towel to make weight at UFC 210 against Anthony Johnson, ultimately winning the fight. Despite this controversial incident, the Hall of Famer remains respected due to his outstanding career achievements and genuine personality.

For Kelvin Gastelum, the Stoltzfus victory was crucial since he bounced back impressively from his disappointing last loss against Joe Pyfer. It now remains to be seen whether Gastelum finally takes an honest look at his ongoing weight issues and improves this problematic habit.

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