Ahead of this weekend’s main card clash with New Zealand’s own Dan Hooker, Polish wrestler Mateusz ‘Gamer’ Gamrot believes that he’s one big finish away from securing a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan – this time with UFC gold on the line.
With lightweight champion Islam Makhachev likely out for the rest of 2024 with a hand injury, the global MMA conversation has shifted to the possibility of an interim title fight being put together – and there’s a ‘Gamer’ who’s ready to secure his spot as Player 2.
Mateusz Gamrot eyes rematch for the UFC interim lightweight title
With the undisputed lightweight champion sadly out for the foreseeable future with a ligament tear, conversations surrounding an interim belt being put up for grabs before year’s end continue to ramp up.
Whilst the consensus opinion is that should an interim title be made, Arman Tsarukyan has already secured his spot as one-half of that expected bout – who could oppose the 22-3 Ahalkalakets?
Well, how about the last fighter to beat him in the octagon?
“The lightweight division is really close, I don’t know what will happen with the champion, I don’t know if he can fight this year,” stated the #5 ranked Mateusz Gamrot in a recent interview with Home of Fight.
“So I wish him a fast recovery but if he can’t fight this year and if I beat Dan Hooker on Saturday night, I’m going to be the first in line to fight for interim [title]… We’ll wait to see what happens on Saturday night, but I really believe that I will be next.”
Gamrot and Tsarukyan first clashed back in June 2022, with the Polish wrestler earning the unanimous decision victory over the Armenian in an unbelievable Fight of the Year contender.
Given how that was Tsarukyan’s last loss in the UFC, going on a four-fight winning streak since, it’s no surprise that Gamrot believes a rematch with interim gold on the line ‘makes sense’ when you look at the division’s top competitors.
“Makes sense, I am here bro… Two years ago, I beat Arman and for me, this is a great fight. I love a stylistic fight like [with] Arman, I think if we get the rematch then the result will be the same – or I finish him.
“I’m really looking forward to Saturday night with Dan Hooker, and then if the UFC want me to fight at the end of the year, I agree [to] this fight and I will be ready.”
Heading into UFC 305 this weekend, Gamrot is the #5 ranked lightweight in the world, whilst Tsarukyan occupies the #1 spot; having beaten former champion Charles Oliveira earlier this year.
Mateusz Gamrot claims he has better wrestling than the champion
Whilst the possibility of a rematch between Tsarukyan and Gamrot is a wrestler’s dream, the Polish warrior believes that he has the grappling skills to match anyone at 155 – including the champion himself.
“In my opinion, I am the best wrestler in the lightweight division. Of course, Islam is super high-level and he always shows high-level skill but if I meet him in the cage, I think he can’t take me down but I will… And then it’ll be a great scramble matchup for sure.”
Yet there is a chance that Makhachev could ditch lightweight after his recovery and go straight for the welterweight title, a possibility that Gamrot prays doesn’t come to fruition before he gets the chance to prove his wrestling credentials once again.
“I hope he doesn’t go up division and stays in the lightweight division, maybe not this year because we don’t have time but maybe next year we’ll meet together and see who is the best wrestler in the lightweight division.”
Mateusz Gamrot vs Dan Hooker is set for the main card of UFC 305, scheduled to go down August 17 live from the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
Related Topics
