Kelvin Gastelum Rejects Fight Against Jared Cannonier if Darren Till’s Visa Issues Continue

The ordering process for Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-views has changed: UFC 244 is only available on ESPN+ in the U.S.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has put in a contingency plan for Saturday night’s UFC 244 co-main event between Kelvin Gastelum and Darren Till, after visa issues continue to prevent the UK-based fighter entering the U.S.

Yesterday the promotion revealed that they gave the green light to middleweight contender Jared Cannonier to prepare to be a replacement and weigh-in in case Till can’t make the trip to New York.

Gastelum was not impressed upon hearing that the UFC had organized a backup for Till and said he is open to fighting someone of the caliber of Cannonier, but wants sufficient time to prepare for him.

“I just don’t think it’s fair for me to fight on two days notice,” Gastelum said (via ESPN). “Of course, I will fight anybody, but give me time to prepare for that person.”

Gastelum says his training camp has been specifically tailored for Till and that Cannonier presented different challenges, which would require more time to prepare.

“Like I said, I can’t take a fight like that against a Cannonier on two days notice, guys,” Gastelum said. “Give me some time to prepare for an elite guy like that. I’ve been preparing for Darren Till and that’s [whom] I’m here to fight.”

If the fight on Saturday goes ahead it would be Till’s debut at middleweight after struggling to make the 170-pound weight limit at welterweight. Gastelum, who also previously competed at welterweight and struggled with the weight cuts, has seen his career blossom since moving up a weight class.

A win for either fighter on Saturday night could put them in line for a future title shot, but Gastelum just wants “The Gorilla” to show up come fight night:

“As long as he gets here,” Gastelum said of Till, “then I’m OK with it.”