MMA Community reacts to Kelvin Gastelum’s UFC 224 win over Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

A key middleweight scrap between Kelvin Gastelum and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza served as the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC 224 event in Brazil.

Souza was almost able to end the fight with an armbar in round one, but Gastelum managed to survive the submission attempt.

In round two Gastelum would find his range and proceeded to drop Souza with a punch. “Jacare” would recover and eventually end round two with a flurry of his own.

Round three was a back and forth affair that ended with Gastelum unloading bombs on Souza. The horn sounded to end the final round of action and it was up to the judges to render a decision.

In the end, Kelvin Gastelum was awarded the split-decision victory.

Here is how the pros reacted to Kelvin Gastelum’s big win:

What a fight @KelvinGastelum vs @JacareMMA #AMERCIA

— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) May 13, 2018

Kelvin has a chin! #UFC224

— Mike Jackson, Esq. (@TheTruthJackson) May 13, 2018

JACARE IS RALLYING IN ROUND TWO! #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/BYhYvrKeUS

— UFC (@ufc) May 13, 2018

Souza looks crippled

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) May 13, 2018

How about the chin on Gastelum, good lord.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 13, 2018

Awesome fight. Regardless of a win or not, Kelvin can hang with the elite MWs. No doubt about it. What a stud and great heart from Jacare.#UFC224

— Drake Riggs (@DrakeRiggs_) May 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/aaronbronsteter/status/995514165732274176

What a fight. Crazy chins on both, but Gastelum never even looked phased and Jacare cracked him multiple times. Souza was in zombie mode for 2 rounds. 29-28 Kelvin

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 13, 2018

Gastelum deserved the W in my opinion #UFC224

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) May 13, 2018

Congrats @KelvinGastelum my brother!!!!!!!

— Robin Black (@robinblackmma) May 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/NickBaldwinMMA/status/995515078823866368

Split decision goes to Kelvin Gastelum, 29-28. That's what I scored it as well. Amazing fight. Jacare did all he could. Kelvin is a young beast man. Can't hurt the guy.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 13, 2018

Both @KelvinGastelum and @JacareMMA have some gas tanks on them, wheew! @ufc

— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) May 13, 2018

Surprised the decision was "split." Gastelum clearly won 2/3 rounds.

Beating Souza is a big deal, but let's be honest. Gastelum needs to beat a contender his own age for a title shot. #UFC224

— Fightnomics Reed (@Fightnomics) May 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/NickBaldwinMMA/status/995515338212233216

Has KG improved? Yep

Is KG fighting above his weight class? Yep

But, the kickboxing style w/ hands down will not work against Robert Whitaker or someone w/ better cardio than Jacare. #UFC224

— David Kano (@realdkano) May 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/aaronbronsteter/status/995515663174307840

Split Decision!@KelvinGastelum gets the judges call at #UFC224 pic.twitter.com/Lr26Ugy7KC

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 13, 2018