Mateusz Gamrot has heard all the hype surrounding Quillan Salkilld, and he isn’t buying into any of it.
The veteran lightweight knows exactly why he’s in Saturday night’s UFC Vegas 120 main event. Every rising contender wants the number next to his name. Gamrot has no problem welcoming the challenge and believes Salkilld’s aggressive style is perfect for him to remind everyone why he’s still one of the toughest outs in the division.
“I have nice number in the ranking, everybody want to take my number. I understand this position,” Gamrot told reporters on Wednesday.
“But ok, I invite you to the cage, and let’s fight. I am happy fight against Quillan because his style is perfect for me.”
While Salkilld has generated plenty of buzz as one of the lightweight division’s rising prospects, Gamrot isn’t buying into the hype. The veteran acknowledged the Australian’s physical tools but made it clear he’s confident in his own experience and well-rounded skill set.
“Yeah he’s dangerous kid. He’s tall, young. He looks strong. Heavy kick style. I need to be careful in the feet. There’s going to be a lot of scramble, non-stop action, and I love when people try take me down and fight with me in the ground,” he said.
“I can show much different skills and technique. It’s a lot of hype around him, but to be honest I don’t care. I know what I bring to the table and I am ready to (go to) war.”
A victory over Salkilld would put Gamrot back in the conversation for another big lightweight matchup. That being said, the former KSW champion isn’t looking past Saturday night, insisting his focus remains solely on the task in front of him.
“I put 100% focus to my next fight. I don’t like think so much what will be next. Lot of great names in the lightweight division,” Gamrot said.
“But bro, I can fight with everybody. No problem with this. My goal never change. I always looking forward to get to the goal. I will fight with everybody.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Mateusz Gamrot above. He faces Quillan Salkilld at UFC Vegas 120 on Saturday night.
