Mateusz Gamrot is focused on his upcoming challenge this weekend but also expresses a desire to eventually compete against Paddy Pimblett in the octagon.
Gamrot is set to face Ludovit Klein in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 107 on Saturday. The former KSW champion is aiming to bounce back after a split-decision loss to Dan Hooker in a Fight of the Night performance at UFC 305 last July.
Since Gamrot`s most recent fight, the lightweight division has seen significant changes. Islam Makhachev vacated the belt to move up to welterweight, Ilia Topuria is preparing to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant title at UFC 317, and Pimblett has surged in popularity following a dominant stoppage win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314.
Gamrot commented on the state of the division, stating, “The lightweight division is the most dangerous division and the best division.” He added that he wasn`t surprised by Makhachev`s move, saying, “Islam, I am not surprised that he moved up. He beat everybody from lightweight division so he wants to get the second belt.”
However, Gamrot holds a strong opinion on Pimblett. “But Paddy Pimblett, I don’t like this guy,” he said. “He talks too much and he has a really easy way to be this place where he’s a star. Everybody thinks he deserves to fight for the title, but at the end of the day, this is UFC decision and UFC, they choose.”
Emphasizing his current priorities, Gamrot stated, “For me, to be honest, right now, it’s focus [on] this fight and I want to get the win, put a really good performance, and this year I want to stay active. I want to get the next fight and then if [my plans go the right way], this next year will be huge for me.”
Pimblett defeated Chandler in the third round via ground and pound at the April pay-per-view event. While this performance caught many people`s attention, Gamrot was not surprised by the outcome, largely due to his view of Chandler`s current form.
Gamrot elaborated on his assessment of Pimblett`s win. “This was a good performance, but always you have put good performance when the [fighter in] front of you is [going] backward, the guy who is doing nothing,” he explained. “The [best] Chandler was like five years, seven years ago. But right now, the guy was so easy for him. I think that Chandler is so easy for everybody now in the lightweight division. So I am not surprised that he looked like that.”
Despite the dominant win, Gamrot maintains his stance on Pimblett`s overall challenge level. “But I still think he’s an easy fight, Paddy Pimblett. If he gets some really good, high-level opponents, he will have trouble in the fight.”
Gamrot`s recent loss to Hooker ended a streak of three consecutive wins, putting his record at 7-2 in his last nine fights. He now faces Klein, who is on an impressive seven-fight unbeaten run.
Gamrot is anticipating a major push in 2025, starting with a win against Klein. He hopes a fight with Pimblett will materialize eventually, allowing him to demonstrate that the popular rising star might not be as formidable as some believe.
When asked if he would be a tough matchup for Pimblett, Gamrot confidently replied, “I think [I’d be a nightmare for him].” He expressed enthusiasm for a future meeting in the octagon, viewing it as a favorable stylistic matchup. Gamrot noted, “He’s [loves] striking right now, but he’s a grappler, great stylistic [fight] to me.” He believes he could secure a finish on the ground against Pimblett, observing mistakes in his grappling. “When I meet him, this is going to be a great fight, but I think I finish him in the ground, for sure, because he made a lot of mistakes on the ground, and I see this, and I have tools to get the win.”
Gamrot contrasted this potential matchup with his recent bouts. “Because my previous opponents were always strikers, you know, for my previous opponents, the ground was fire and I can show my best on the ground.” However, he feels a grappling-heavy fight, which he anticipates with Pimblett, would highlight his danger on the mat. “But if I get someone who [likes the] ground game and he’s going to scramble with me, then bro, I am really dangerous there.”
