Mateusz Gamrot’s UFC record is nothing short of astonishing, especially after his lightning-fast 65-second victory over a seasoned 52-fight veteran. If you think you know everything about dominant ground fighters in the UFC, Gamrot might just change your mind.
He is widely recognized as a formidable presence on the mat. Nicknamed ‘Gamer,’ Gamrot is on the verge of elevating his status in the lightweight division with a prime opportunity to headline UFC Rio this Saturday. But here’s where it gets controversial—he’s stepping into hostile territory to face Charles Oliveira, a legend renowned for being the UFC’s all-time leader in submission victories.
This high-stakes match-up, scheduled for October 11, was arranged on short notice after Rafael Fiziev pulled out due to an injury. This last-minute change gave the Polish contender an unexpected chance to showcase his skills on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Facing off against 'Do Bronx'—Oliveira's well-known nickname—Gamrot is up against an opponent who is not just experienced but also infamous for his submission prowess.
However, don’t be misled by Oliveira’s reputation; Gamrot is no novice when it comes to submission finishes. In fact, one of Gamrot’s taps became a memorable highlight in UFC history over four years ago.
Currently ranked eighth in the UFC’s lightweight division, Gamrot brings five submission victories within his 25 professional wins, including one unforgettable moment inside the Octagon. After a rocky start with a 1-1 record, he was handed a crucial fight against UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens in July 2021.
The clash took place on the undercard of UFC Vegas 31, where Islam Makhachev’s submission victory was the headline story. Yet, Gamrot stole the spotlight by shattering the UFC record for the fastest kimura submission ever recorded. It took him a mere 65 seconds to force Stephens to tap out—a demonstration of his ground game’s lethal precision.
But the drama extends beyond the fight itself. Gamrot revealed that convincing Oliveira to accept the bout wasn’t smooth sailing. Oliveira initially dismissed Gamrot’s callout, citing stylistic mismatches—he expected to face striker Fiziev, not a grappler like Gamrot.
During the UFC Rio fight week, Gamrot expressed surprise at Oliveira's reluctance. "I saw his interview in Portuguese—he knows my name and respects me," Gamrot shared with MMA Fighting. "But his team was preparing for a different style, and he just wasn’t ready for mine. It was a bit amusing because Oliveira is a lion on the ground, the submission king"
Gamrot questioned, "How could he be scared of a fellow grappler like me? I aim to take down every opponent. That’s exactly what will happen when we step into the cage—I'm going to take him down and battle him on the ground."
Here’s the part most people miss: while Oliveira boasts a record submission tally, Gamrot’s grappling style could challenge the legend in ways few have dared. Will this battle redefine the lightweight division’s grappling hierarchy, or is Oliveira’s experience simply too vast? What do you think—does Gamrot have what it takes to dethrone the submission master, or is this a mismatch waiting to happen? Share your thoughts and join the debate!
