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Mateusz Gamrot is a force on the floor.
The former KSW champion has been a wrestler since childhood and is a former member of the Polish national wrestling team. In the Octagon, he has defeated every opponent he has faced, including an impressive six takedowns against Arman Tsarukyan and four against Beneil Dariush. Gamrot has a plethora of takedown options in his arsenal, including sophisticated low ankle picks and duck-unders rarely seen in MMA.
But is he better than Islam Makhachev, the lightweight champion? Makhachev was absolutely dominant on the canvas, beating most of his opponents thanks to his strong wrestling, much like his long-time teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov. It’s all but impossible to argue with his results, but Gamrot is still confident that he is the best wrestler at 155 pounds.
“I don’t care because my wrestling skills always beat strikers,” Gamrot said at media day on Wednesday (h/t MMAJunkie). “I’m only interested in one guy in this lightweight class. He is a wrestler. He is Islam Makhachev. I believe he will win with Charles Oliveira and I hope we meet in the future – hopefully next year or two years from now.”
“I think so,” Gamrot replied when asked whether or not he was a better wrestler than Makhachev. “We’ll see. I have to meet him in the octagon and fight with him. Then we’ll get the answer as to who the better wrestler is. In my opinion, I’m the best wrestler in the lightweight division. I’ve finished them all. That’s not a problem for me . It will be the same on Saturday night.”
Before Gamrot can take on the Russian, he will have his hands full with knockout artist Rafael Fiziev. The two are expected to face off this weekend (Sat., Sept. 23, 2023) at UFC Vegas 79 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. If he wins, Gamrot might have a chance to find out for himself sooner or later.
insomnia
Paul Felder vs. Jim Miller at UFC 300 has a certain ring to it.
Two decorated champions discuss behind-the-scenes injuries and their relationships with UFC CEO Dana White.
I truly believe Dustin Stoltzfus is better than his 1-4 UFC record suggests, but this is another tough matchup for him.
Funnily enough, infamous Noche UFC judge Mike Bell did not directly attend this special NSAC conference due to his actions.
If Colby Covington continues to forget the name, that would honestly be pretty hilarious and UFC would love it.
I would still expect Rodtang vs. Superlek to be a great fight, but it was a disappointing build to say the least.
Aljamain Sterling revokes his reconsideration of wanting to fight Alexander Volkanovski…
Nate Diaz and Conor McGregor will be calling each other names as long as social media exists.
Briefs, rips and knockout clips
Rafael Fiziev is such a sharp striker.
I know I’ve written this ten times, but people keep breaking the simple rule: Don’t fight a man throwing leg kicks in the street!
Frozen in place and left vulnerable…
Random country
A timely rescue.
Midnight Music: New Wave, 1978
Sleep tight, maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
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