Mateusz Gamrot claims Dustin Poirier’s last bouts against Islam Makhachev prove that “The Gamer” is the best wrestler in the lightweight division.
Gamrot is scheduled to face veteran contender Dan Hooker on Saturday at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. Gamrot believes a win over Hooker could land him a shot at the interim lightweight title and ultimately a title unification bout with champion Makhachev, who is temporarily sidelined with a hand injury.
While “The Gamer” acknowledges Makhachev’s superior grappling skills, he considers himself the best wrestler in the lightweight division, and Gamrot points to Makhachev’s last title fight, against Poirier, whom he helped train, as evidence. Poirier gave Makhachev a tough test at UFC 302 in June of this year, submitting him in the fifth round. Gamrot had Poirier backed into his corner and was leading 2-2 going into the final round, but the referee saw it differently. Gamrot is proud of Poirier’s performance against Makhachev and thinks it shows just how close his own matchup with the Dagestanian will be.
UFC 305: du Plessis vs. Adesanya Saturday, 10 ET on ESPN+. Order your copy now! “And look at Dustin Poirier’s positioning and performance. [defended] “He did a great job over and over again. This was a great fight,” Gamrot told Home of Fights. “And I [in] I was in the corner with Dustin and we finished the four rounds with the score at 2-2. Of course, the judges will give different points, but for me it was a close fight. I’m really proud of Dustin for putting up such a fight. In my opinion, I’m the best wrestler in the lightweight division. Of course, I’m also a big fan of Islam.
[is] It’s a very high level, and he always plays at a high level, but if I were to face him in a cage, I don’t think he could beat me, but I would beat him, and then it would be a great scramble match. And I hope he doesn’t go to a higher weight class and stays in the lightweight division. It might not be possible this year because we don’t have time, but let’s face each other next year and see who is the best wrestler in the lightweight division.
Currently on a three-fight win streak, Gamrot has extra motivation to win against Hooker: UFC 305 takes place on August 17 in the United States and August 18 in Australia, which is the birthday of Gamrot’s friend and fellow Pole, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Gamrot can think of no better gift than a win against “The Hangman.”
“Joanna always gives me extra motivation and advice,” he said. “I love Joanna. She has helped me a lot. She’s busy right now and can’t come to Australia, but we meet up whenever we have the chance and talk a lot… The day I play is Joanna’s birthday, so giving her the best present for her birthday, like winning the match, will be a real motivation for me.”
