UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria has a big target on his back.
Top candidates Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett are all gnaw at the chance to fight the new champion after he had eliminated Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317.
Topuria says that he would rather leave the title than Vecht #1 Competier Arman Tsarukyan, who has been advertised as 'El Matador's' most difficult test in the weight class.
Some believe that another competition perhaps has a better chance to dive the unbeaten Topuria, and that is the last man who beats Tsarukyan, the #7-ranged lightweight Mateusz Gamrot.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Mateusz Gamrot on Ilia Topuria: “I don't think he can stop my wrestling …”
Former UFC champion Matt Serra says that Polen's Gamrot has a 'very unique' and 'stifling' wrestling style.
Gamrot is one of the best grapplers in the lightweight division. Top candidate Benes Dariush says that former enemy Gamrot can 'cause problems' for a striker who is as competent and harsh as Topuria.
What does Gamrot think of a style matchup with topuria?
“Champ is tough, cool guy,” Gamrot told Serra on UFC unfiltered.
“He has previously defeated great hunters. But for me, like short guy,” Gamrot said about Topuria, who is 5'7 ″.
“Really heavy hands, but only boxing …
“My style is MMA, but I always represent a wrestling style. I don't think he can stop my wrestling pressure if I go on. Take it down, he defends. Ok. No problem.
“Chain wrestling,” Gamrot said about how he will beat Topuria.
“My gas tank is always ready for five rounds. So the question is whether the champion can touch me and then I go to sleep. If I don't go to sleep, I will probably beat him,” Gamrot added.
'Sportsman' Mateusz Gamrot wants to fight against Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett
The #7-ranged Gamrot has won four of his last five fights and is an impressive 8-3 at Lightweight, which is perhaps the deepest division of the UFC in terms of talent.
Gamrot recovered from a closely disputed decision loss for Dan Hooker at UFC 305 with a dominant victory over ľudovít Klein in May. Gamrot checked the striker for three rounds with his struggling and earned a unanimous decision of the jury members.
A former top 5-year-old before he met Hooker, Gamrot screams for a selection framework. With the correct name and correct version, the 34-year-old may be one win from a title fight with Topuria.
“I am looking for boys above me in the ranking,” Gamrot said about what he wants afterwards.
“I don't know what happened to Paddy Pimblett,” Gamrot said.
'I don't know what happened to Justin Gaethje …
“All these guys are great names to fight. I am a sportsman,” Gamrot said, adding that he is healthy.