Kelvin Gastelum Withdraws From Noche UFC, Djorden Santos Steps In as Yousri Belgaroui’s Replacement Opponent

Kelvin Gastelum is no longer scheduled to fight at UFC’s Noche UFC event on September 12 in Glendale, Arizona, according to Yahoo Sports. The former Ultimate Fighter winner was originally listed for the middleweight bout, but has since been pulled from the card for reasons not detailed in the report.

Gastelum’s withdrawal immediately triggered a reshuffle in the middleweight picture involving Yousri Belgaroui. Belgaroui, who was slated to fight Gastelum, now has a different opponent. The change underscores how late-week or late-month adjustments can alter matchups, especially for events that have already been heavily marketed and built around specific stylistic matchups.

Djorden Santos will take the fight on short notice, stepping in as Belgaroui’s replacement opponent. Santos’ role here is straightforward: he is the planned substitute to preserve the middleweight pairing despite Gastelum’s exit from the card. Short-notice replacements can affect preparation time, game plans, and weight management rhythms, even when both fighters are elite and adaptable.

From a matchmaking perspective, the middleweight division is often a high-velocity lane for title contention, contender scouting, and rankings momentum. With Belgaroui now drawing Santos instead of Gastelum, the tactical matchup becomes different in the early read. Each fighter’s pace, striking angles, takedown preferences, and defensive habits can shift the “first month” of the UFC ecosystem for a given event, even if the broader division story remains stable.

For Gastelum, the withdrawal is a reminder that even seasoned middleweight veterans can have their plans change abruptly, particularly when an event is close and the UFC has to finalize logistics. The report did not provide an injury update, a medical timetable, or a new date. That means fans should expect a period of uncertainty around when and where Gastelum returns, unless the UFC provides additional confirmation.

For Belgaroui, the replacement dynamic raises a practical question: how quickly can the training camp pivot to a new opponent and preserve the original fight identity? Because Santos is stepping in on short notice, Belgaroui’s preparation likely shifts toward common denominators, with emphasis on the opponent’s most reliable entry points and transitions rather than fine-tuned planning for Gastelum’s specific habits.

For Santos, the upside is equally clear. A short-notice opportunity can become a launching pad if he can impose his style early and sustain it into later rounds. The risk is also obvious, as opponents on short notice sometimes have less time for the most granular preparation. Either way, the fight will function as an immediate evaluation of how well Santos adapts under time pressure, and how effectively Belgaroui executes a plan built for an altered opponent.