UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria has a big target on his back.
Top contenders Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett are all gnawing at the chance to fight the new champion after he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317.
Topuria says he’d rather vacate the title than fight #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, who has been touted as ‘El Matador’s’ toughest test in the weight class.
Some believe another contender may have a better chance at dethroning the undefeated Topuria, and that’s the last man who beat Tsarukyan, the #7-ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot.
Mateusz Gamrot on Ilia Topuria: ‘I don’t think that he can stop my wrestling…’
Former UFC Champion Matt Serra says Poland’s Gamrot has a ‘very unique’ and ‘suffocating’ wrestling style.
Gamrot is one of the best grapplers in the lightweight division. Top contender Beneil Dariush says former foe Gamrot could ’cause some issues’ for a striker as skilled and heavy-handed as Topuria.
What does Gamrot think of a style matchup with Topuria?
“Champ is tough, tough guy,” Gamrot told Serra on UFC Unfiltered.
“He’s beat great fighters before. But for me, like, short guy,” Gamrot said of Topuria, who’s 5’7″.
“Really heavy hands, but just boxing…
“My style is MMA, but I always represent a wrestling style. I don’t think that he can stop my wrestling pressure when I’m gonna keep going. Take him down, he defends. OK. No problem.
“Chain wrestling,” Gamrot said of how he’ll beat Topuria.
“My gas tank is always ready for five rounds. So, the question is if the champ can touch me and then I go to sleep. If I don’t go to sleep, probably I will beat him for sure,” Gamrot added.
‘Sportsman’ Mateusz Gamrot wants to fight Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett next
The #7-ranked Gamrot has won four out of his last five fights and is an impressive 8-3 at lightweight, which is arguably the UFC’s deepest division in terms of talent.
Gamrot rebounded from a closely contested decision loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 with a dominant win over Ľudovít Klein in May. Gamrot controlled the striker for three rounds with his grappling, earning a unanimous decision nod from the judges.
A former top-5 contender before he met Hooker, Gamrot is clamoring for a marquee matchup. With the right name and right performance, the 34-year-old could be one win away from a title fight with Topuria.
“I’m looking for guys above me in the rankings,” Gamrot said of what he wants next.
“I don’t know what happened with Paddy Pimblett,” Gamrot said.
“I don’t know what happened with Justin Gaethje…
“All these guys are great names to fight. I am a sportsman,” Gamrot said, adding that he’s healthy.