Matt Brown Withdraws from Fight with Kelvin Gastelum, Future of Bout Uncertain

Matt Brown, citing an injury, has been forced to pull out of his November 21 main event bout with Kelvin Gastelum.

The popular welterweight evidently injured his ankle while training, according to a report released Monday night by Damon Martin of Fox Sports. 

Brown himself subsequently took to Twitter to confirm the news firsthand.

 

Sorry to confirm the truth here. I apologize to @KelvinGastelum and hope the best for him. https://t.co/sB4q0UfKuH

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) November 3, 2015

 

The bout was scheduled to headline the finale of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2, which will air in the United States on Fox Sports 1.

So far, the UFC has not made any announcements as to who might replace Brown against Gastelum, or even whether the bout will definitely continue. With the event less than three weeks away, finding a suitable replacement may be difficult.

The co-main event of the evening is a featherweight bout between Diego Sanchez and Ricardo Lamas.

Gastelum (11-1) is still only 24 years old and has displayed great promise, despite repeated struggles making the division's 170-pound limit. 

With several top welterweights already committed to other fights, it may be difficult to find a replacement with the skill set to stand up to Gastelum's heavy wrestling base. 

Jorge Masvidal and Dong Hyun Kim are set to tangle at UFC Fight Night 79, which directly follows the TUF Latin America 2 finale. It is at least theoretically possible that one of those competitors could be shuffled to the previous card. Other welterweights who appear to be available and might make sense in the bout include Tarec Saffiedine and Alan Jouban. 

 

@GrabakaHitman @ScottHarrisMMA what about Saffiedine

— Kris Torres (@KrisTorres6) November 3, 2015

 

Whatever ultimately happens, fans were certainly saddened by the news that Brown (20-13) would not appear on the card. Known for his hyperaggressive muay thai style, Brown is coming off a first-round submission of Tim Means at UFC 189. It was Brown's first fight following consecutive classics against Robbie Lawler and Johny Hendricks, both of which Brown lost.

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