Mateusz
Gamrot claims Dustin
Poirier’s last fight against Islam
Makhachev is proof that “Gamer” is the best wrestler in the
lightweight division.
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Gamrot is scheduled to take on veteran contender Dan Hooker at
UFC
305 in Perth, Australia, on Saturday. Gamrot believes a
potential victory over Hooker sets him up for an interim
lightweight title fight, and then an eventual title unifier against
the champ Makhachev, who is temporarily sidelined due to a hand
injury.
While “Gamer” acknowledges Makhachev’s elite grappling skillset, he
considers himself the best wrestler in the lightweight division.
And Gamrot highlights Makhachev’s last title fight against Poirier,
whom he helped train, as testament to that. Poirier gave Makhachev
a stern test en route to a fifth-round submission loss at UFC 302
this past June. While cornering Poirier for the fight, Gamrot had
it 2-2 going into the final frame — although the judges saw it
differently. Gamrot is proud of Poirier’s display against Makhachev
and believes it goes to show how close his own potential clash
against the Dagestani could be.
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“And look position from Dustin
Poirier and performance. He [defended] very well many times,
right. This was great fight,” Gamrot told Home
of Fight. “And when I was [in] the corner with Dustin, this was
like 2-2 after four rounds. Of course, the judges give the
different points but for me it was close fight, and I am really
proud from Dustin that he give the fight like that… In my opinion,
I’m the best wrestler in the lightweight division. Of course, Islam
[is] super high level, and he always show the high level still, but
if I meet him the cage I think he can’t take me down but I will and
then there’s gonna be great scramble matchup. And I hope he don’t
want go to up division and he stay in lightweight division. And
maybe not this year because we don’t have time, but next year we
meet together and we’ll see who’s the best wrestler in lightweight
division.”
Currently riding a three-fight winning streak, Gamrot also has some
extra motivation to get his hand raised against Hooker. UFC 305
goes down on Aug. 17 in the U.S. and Aug. 18 in Australia, which is
the birthday of Gamrot’s friend and fellow Pole, Joanna
Jedrzejczyk. And Gamrot can’t think of a better gift than a win
over “The Hangman.”
“Joanna always give me extra motivation and tips,” he said. “I love
Joanna, she helped me a lot. She can’t come to Australia because
she’s busy right now, but every time we have the opportunity then
we meet together and we talk a lot… The day when I have fight,
Joanna has birthday. So this gonna be like true motivation to me to
give her super gift for her birthday, like winning the fight.”