UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, fresh off a first-round knockout win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, now faces growing pressure from top contenders eager to challenge his reign. Among those seeking a shot is Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot, who insists his wrestling approach will be too much for Topuria to handle in the Octagon.
Known for his relentless grappling, Gamrot recently spoke with former champion Matt Serra about his potential matchup with the champion. Gamrot acknowledged Topuria’s toughness and powerful striking but expressed confidence that his wrestling style would prevail.
He described Topuria as a “short guy” with “really heavy hands” and noted,
“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.”
Gamrot emphasized the importance of chain wrestling and stamina, stating,
“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.”
Grappling Specialists Recognize Gamrot’s Threat to Topuria
Gamrot is regarded as one of the top grapplers in the lightweight division. Former foe Beneil Dariush has suggested that Gamrot’s style could present challenges for a striker as dangerous as Topuria. Matt Serra also praised Gamrot’s approach, calling it “very unique” and “suffocating.” With these endorsements, Gamrot’s wrestling skills appear to be a real test for the champion’s defenses.
Gamrot Seeks High-Profile Opponents and Title Opportunity
After recovering from a narrow decision loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305, Gamrot demonstrated his grappling dominance with a unanimous decision win over Ľudovít Klein in May, controlling the striker throughout the fight. With his sights set on bigger challenges, the 34-year-old contender is eager to face top-ranked opponents like Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett to strengthen his path toward a title shot.
Gamrot expressed his openness and professionalism regarding his next fights, saying,
“I’m looking for guys above me in the rankings,”
and added,
“I don’t know what happened with Paddy Pimblett, I don’t know what happened with Justin Gaethje… All these guys are great names to fight. I am a sportsman.”
He reassured fans that he is healthy and ready for upcoming battles.
Potential Impact on Lightweight Division’s Future
As Ilia Topuria remains the target for several contenders, Mateusz Gamrot’s confidence in his wrestling game adds an intriguing dimension to the lightweight title picture. Should their paths cross, this clash could see a wrestler versus striker confrontation that tests both fighters’ skills and endurance. Gamrot’s upcoming performances could put him within striking distance of a championship bout, intensifying competition among the elite contenders.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ilia Topuria Turkish?
A. Ilia Topuria, born on January 21, 1997, is a mixed martial artist from Georgia and Spain. He fights in the UFC’s Lightweight division and is the champion there.