Las Vegas, NV — Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot is no stranger to headlining fight cards — but UFC Vegas 57 marks his first time main eventing for the UFC.
Gamrot (20-1, 1NC) is a former KSW double champ, having claimed featherweight and lightweight gold under the Polish promotion’s banner. Jumping to the UFC in 2020, he’s posted a 3-1 record to date, with two Performance of the Night bonuses, plus a Fight of the Night through his four fights.
The 31-year old agrees he’s been doing some “big things,” but added during Wednesday’s UFC Vegas 57 media day that “I am in my prime now. Not just physically but also mentally. And I’m ready to go through hell.”
On Saturday, Gamrot will throw down with with Arman Tsarukyan in a five-round, lightweight main event. It’s a fight that may not appeal to casual fight fans, but one that immediately caught the eye of the UFC’s hardcore fanbase.
Gamrot himself is thrilled with the match-up. “I’m so happy. Nobody wanted to fight with Arman, a lot of people were scared of him. Nobody would fight with me, and we meet together in the octagon. He’s a great fighter, good striking, good wrestling, but I think [his] weakness is jiu-jitsu. I saw a lot of holes in his game.”
Aside from those holes, Gamrot believes his title fight experience will give him an edge. “I’m a more experienced guy in five rounds, I’m used to pressure. I used to be the champion, and I think it’s going to be a great show Saturday night.”
The Polish lightweight definitely had his eye on Tsarukyan ahead of the fight. “We are the new generation MMA, we are very close to the top 10. I knew now or in the future, we’d meet together, for sure.”
Despite his championship resume, however, Gamrot goes into this fight as the betting underdog. That has a bit of a chip on his shoulder, it seems. “I also know nobody gives me a chance in this fight, but I’m super ready and I want to step in the octagon and prove I’m a different animal in the cage.”
And the odds? “This is more motivation for me. Nobody gives me a chance, like I say. I want to show the world. I go step into the octagon, I want to show my best version, and that’s it. This is only a big motivation for me.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 57 media day scrum with Mateusz Gamrot above.
