Mateusz Gamrot has stepped into UFC Rio’s main event on short notice, replacing the injured Rafael Fiziev in the five-round fight.
Gamrot (25-3, 1NC) is a very different sort of opponent for the former champ. The ex-KSW star is, like Oliveira, extremely comfortable on the ground, as opposed to Fiziev’s Muay Thai stylings. “Gamer,” in fact, sounds eager to test himself on the mat against “Do Bronx” (now going by “The Predator,”), despite Oliveira being the UFC’s submissions leader.
“Charles in the most dangerous guy on the ground. I’m happy that I can challenge myself against him,” Gamrot stated during Wednesday’s UFC Rio media day. “But he has nine losses. He’s like the top. I have only two losses, split decision. I see my opportunity to try to submit him on the ground.”
Since arriving in the UFC, Mateusz Gamrot actually has three losses, though he’s never been stopped. Two of those came via split decision. With that confidence behind him, the Polish lightweight is showing no fear of Oliveira on the ground.
“His previous opponent was afraid to fight with him on the ground, but not me. I want to take him down on the ground, exchange submissions with him, and if I see an opportunity, I’ll take it.”
Should the fight stay on the feet, however, Gamot is more than happy to stand toe-to-toe with Oliveira as well.
“Yes of course. I’m not afraid of anything that Charles is going to bring to the octagon,” he stated, before giving a brief preview of what he anticipates in the fight. “I expect it’s going to be high-paced from the beginning, but like I said I’ll exchange punches with him. If he wants to be aggressive and go forward, great for me, it’s going to be easy to take him down. And then we’ll start an epic fight on the ground.”
“He’s super-dangerous on the ground, but I see some holes in his game,” Gamrot added. “I see this, and I go there, and then the fight’s going to be over.”
Watch the full UFC Rio media day appearance by Mateusz Gamrot above.
