Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis betting odds, fight info and fan predictions for UFC 273 bout

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis UFC fight info, date and time

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis is set to go down at UFC 273: Volkanovski vs. Korean Zombie at 9:30pm EST on Saturday 9th April 2022 in a 185lbs matchup.

Kelvin Gastelum is on a two-fight losing streak after recent defeats to Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier.

Dricus Du Plessis has won both fights since joining the UFC in 2020. In his last fight, Du Plessis knocked out Trevin Giles at UFC 264 in July.

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis betting odds

Kelvin Gastelum opens as the favorite with betting odds of -150.

Dricus Du Plessis will be the betting underdog with opening odds of +135.

Fight information

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis was first reported on March 29th, less than two weeks out from the fight.

Both men were set to face different opponents on this card. However, Gastelum’s initial opponent, Nassourdine Imamov, was pulled due to visa issues.

A.Hernandez out. Kelvin Gastelum in, will fight Dricus Du Plessis at #UFC273 on April 9th. (per @bokamotoESPN) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN pic.twitter.com/Lga7nkFoGY

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) March 29, 2022

Dricus Du Plessis will no longer fight Anthony Hernandez, instead stepping in to face Gastelum. 

This Middleweight scrap will take place on the main card at UFC 273: Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie.

Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum has lost five of his last six UFC fights since challenging Israel Adesanya for the interim title.

🗣Kelvin Gastelum!

Flash🔙 to #UFCShanghai when @KelvinGastelum made quick work of a legend. #UFC234 pic.twitter.com/CD6jHYQ5lo

— UFC (@ufc) February 6, 2019

His sole victory in this period came against Ian Heinisch at UFC 258. Gastelum is now 11-8 in the UFC since winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 back in 2013.

Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus Du Plessis has proved a hit since making his UFC debut in 2020, serving up successive KO victories over Markus Perez and Trevin Giles.

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

🇿🇦 @DricusDuPlessis putting South Africa on the map! #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/kinqJld3o9

— UFC (@ufc) July 11, 2021

The South African has maintained a 100% finishing rate over his pro career, with 7 KO’s and 9 submissions.

How they match up

Dricus Du Plessis is the taller fighter at 6”1 compared to Gastelum who is 5”9. Dricus Du Plessis will have a significant 5-inch reach advantage in this fight.

Kelvin Gastelum is older at 30 years, while Dricus Du Plessis is 28. Gastelum has 25 pro fights in his career to Du Plessis’s 18.

Reasons to watch

This is an excellent short-notice matchup in the UFC Middleweight Division between a veteran and an up-and-comer. 

Kelvin Gastelum has been on a tough run lately, although he has faced a who’s-who of top Middleweights, including Robert Whittaker, Jared Cannonier and Israel Adesanya. He always has the power the end a fight in a flash.

Dricus Du Plessis has left both of his UFC opponents unconscious and clearly possesses dangerous power in his hands.

The stakes

The stakes are high for both fighters. Kelvin Gastelum will know that another defeat could be his last in the UFC.

FIGHT ISLAND HITS DIFFERENT!!!

What a debut for @DricusDuPlessis 🙌

[ Main card is rolling on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7QPTNwRLj3

— UFC (@ufc) October 11, 2020

Dricus Du Plessis looks like a genuine contender who is certain to break into the Middleweight Top 15 with a win.

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis predictions

The bookmakers’ predictions have Kelvin Gastelum as the favorite with opening betting odds of -150.

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis picks

Get your Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis picks in.

Kelvin Gastelum vs Dricus Du Plessis tale of the tape

• 2 year age gap: Du Plessis is the younger fighter at 28 years old.
• Du Plessis has a significant 5 inch reach advantage.
• Significant experience difference: Gastelum has 12 more professional MMA fights than Du Plessis.

Kelvin Gastelum	vs	Dricus Du Plessis
30	Age	28
30	Fights	18
17	Wins	16
8	Losses	2
6	KO’s	7
7	Subs	9
5′ 9	Height (in)	6′ 1
71.5	Reach (in)	76

Kelvin Gastelum fighter profile and recent form

Kelvin Gastelum is a 30 year old male fighter from United States with 17 pro wins and 8 losses. See Kelvin Gastelum’s full MMA record.

Kelvin Gastelum has a 59% finish rate, including 6 by knockout, 7 by submission, 7 by decision.

Kelvin Gastelum is currently on a 2 fight losing skid.

Last 5 bouts

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Weight class	Org
Loss	17-7-0	Jared Cannonier	DEC R5 5:00	UFC Fight Night	2021-08-21	Middleweight	UFC
Loss	17-6-0	Robert Whittaker	DEC R5 5:00	UFC Fight Night	2021-04-17	Middleweight	UFC
Win	16-6-0	Ian Heinisch	DEC R3 5:00	UFC 258	2021-02-13	Middleweight	UFC
Loss	16-5-0	Jack Hermansson	SUB R1 1:18	UFC Fight Night	2020-07-18	Middleweight	UFC
Loss	16-4-0	Darren Till	DEC R3 5:00	UFC 244	2019-11-02	Middleweight	UFC

Dricus “Stillknocks” Du Plessis fighter profile and recent form

Dricus Du Plessis is a 28 year old male fighter from South Africa with 16 pro wins and 2 losses. See Dricus Du Plessis’s full MMA record.

Dricus Du Plessis has a 100% finish rate, including 7 by knockout, 9 by submission.

Dricus Du Plessis is currently riding a 4 fight win streak.

Last 5 bouts

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Weight class	Org
Win	15-2-0	Trevin Giles	KO/TKO R2 1:41	UFC 264	2021-07-10	Middleweight	UFC
Win	14-2-0	Markus Perez	KO/TKO R1 3:22	UFC Fight Night	2020-10-10	Middleweight	UFC
Win	13-2-0	Brendan Lesar	SUB R1 4:15	EFC Worldwide 83	2019-12-14	Middleweight	EFCA
Win	12-2-0	Joilton Lutterbach	KO/TKO R2 3:04	KSW 50	2019-09-14	Middleweight	KSW
Loss	12-1-0	Roberto Soldić	KO/TKO R3 2:33	KSW 45	2018-10-06	Welterweight	KSW