By Fernando Quiles Jr

Copyright newsweek

Mateusz Gamrot has an intriguing choice for the next UFC lightweight title contender. Ilia Topuria is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion after knocking out Charles Oliveira back in June. In an interview with Newsweek Sports, Gamrot revealed which available 155-pounder is his pick for the No.1 contender.

“If Arman [Tsarukyan] booked that fight with [Dan} Hooker, for sure, Justin Gaethje deserves more than Paddy [Pimblett] fighting with the title,” Gamrot said. “He’s always an entertaining fighter. I love watching his fights. I think Gaethje deserves more.”

(via Zuffa LLC)

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Massive Opportunity Against Charles Oliveira

Gamrot has stepped up on short notice to face Charles Oliveira in the UFC Rio headliner on Saturday. Rafael Fiziev was initially Oliveira’s opponent but revealed that he injured his knee during training. In a video on social media, Gamrot was fired up right after being told he would officially be facing Oliveira.

“Pure happiness,” Gamrot said. “Always when I get some things like that, I am super happy. Especially, I love what I do in my life. So, I got the biggest challenge of my life, one of the greatest in the lightweight division. So, I was super happy.”

Gamrot never truly had a doubt about getting the call to fight “do Bronxs,” but there was a name that he felt was in striking distance of surpassing him.

“I expected this because I was the right name from the lightweight ranking and just was patient and waiting for the call,” Gamrot said. “When I saw [Diego] Lopes, I started to think maybe he jumps in, but when Fiziev pulled out on Saturday, then Monday night or Tuesday morning, I get the call from the UFC. So, this was only two, three days after this.”

Statement-Making Performance?

Gamrot and Oliveira have shown mutual respect, but the No. 8-ranked UFC lightweight knows what could be at stake on Saturday.

“Yeah, of course,” Gamrot said. “I always respect my opponents. I am from Olympic sports, so I have always shown respect to my opponents, especially for Charles, one of the biggest and greatest names in the lightweight division, super dangerous guy on the ground. For sure I have a lot of respect for him, but right now, this is the time to change guard, take his place in Rio.”

Gamrot feels that if he defeats Oliveira, as he’s envisioning, it will put him in a position that he hasn’t been in before in his pro mixed martial arts career.

“This is going to be a huge statement for the lightweight division,” Gamrot said. “When I beat Charles, this is going to open my doors the biggest in MMA, but right now, I don’t want to think what will be next. My focus is on Charles. He’s a tough opponent. I expect this is going to be a tough fight for both of us and focused 100 percent.”

No Cardio Worries on Short Notice

When Gamrot first accepted this weekend’s fight against Oliveira, he appeared on “The Ariel Helwani Show” and admitted that he needed to get his body prepared for a five-round fight, given the short notice aspect. Gamrot reminded fans that he’s completed his share of fight-round bouts.

“We’ll see how my conditioning is good in the five rounds, but I’ve did this distance a few times,” Gamrot said. “Charles never fought five rounds. I know that my conditioning is crazy right now. I want to put a high pace from the beginning, and we’ll see what’s happening in the cage.”

Did Oliveira Take the Fight Too Soon?

The general consensus within the MMA community is that Oliveira may have accepted the UFC Rio fight too soon following his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria back in June. While Gamrot is unsure if Oliveira is truly ready to compete this quickly, he has prepared for a prime version of the former UFC Lightweight Champion.

“Yeah, that’s right, I expect the best version,” Gamrot said. “This is so fast or not; we’ll see on Saturday. I am not his coach. He feels great, so he wants to show himself in Brazil. I agree, and I understand his decision, but this is too early or not, we’ll see.”

Gamrot Promises Fireworks

Gamrot had a clear message for fans, and it’s to expect a barn burner on Saturday night.

“I can say that I feel love from all my fans, so I want to thank you so much for all of this,” Gamrot said. “Watch my fight on Saturday night because he’s a grappler, I’m a grappler as well. We’re going to exchange a lot of submissions. It’s going to be an epic fight for sure, and this is going to be a fight [that shows] why fans watch MMA.”

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