Kelvin Gastelum was announced as the late notice opponent for Tim Kennedy at UFC 206, replacing an injured Rashad Evans, but according to the Ontario Athletic Commission (OAC), Gastelum hadn't been cleared to compete on the UFC 206 card as of yet. That appears to have changed.
“The OAC honors all suspensions by members of the Association of Boxing Commissions,” OAC spokesperson Denelle Balfour said to MMA Junkie.
The suspension that the OAS refers to is from the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), which suspended Gastelum six months for failing to appear at the weigh-ins for UFC 205, Gastelum cannot compete again until May 2017, but Gastelum and his team were looking to get the suspension revoked.
“What we’re trying to do is get the suspension lifted, and that’s what my team is working for right now,” Gastelum said. “News should be coming soon this week.”
Gastelum even posted the following statement on his Twitter account:
There's always something y'all don't know. https://t.co/zmZpukjHsV
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) November 28, 2016
According to Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, Gastelum's team was successful in gaining eligibility for the fight. Instead of a suspension, the New York commission settled on a $2000 fine. NY State Department spokesperson Laz Benitez revealed the news.
Gastelum's fight with Kennedy has already been announced by the UFC, and will go down at UFC 206.
UFC 206 takes place on Saturday, December 10 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis headlining.
