UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot has opened up about the impact Dustin Poirier has had on his career, revealing that the former interim UFC lightweight champion helped him grow not only as a fighter but also as a person.
Speaking ahead of his UFC Vegas 120 main event against surging contender Quillan Salkilld, Gamrot reflected on the guidance he has received from Poirier throughout their time training together. He said:
“He teach me a lot of good things from the skills, but always mentally the skills. I am happy I meet him on my way because Dustin is one of the greatest.”
Check out Mateusz Gamrot‘s comments below:
Poirier, who retired following his trilogy bout against Max Holloway at UFC 318, leaves behind one of the most respected legacies in MMA. A former interim lightweight champion, ‘The Diamond’ shared the Octagon with some of the biggest names in UFC history, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev, and Max Holloway.
Beyond his accomplishments inside the cage, Poirier has long been praised for mentoring younger fighters, with Gamrot becoming one of the latest to credit the Louisiana native for his influence.
Mateusz Gamrot looks to halt Quillan Salkilld’s rise at UFC Vegas 120
Mateusz Gamrot will look to put that experience to use this weekend when he meets one of the lightweight division’s fastest-rising contenders in Quillan Salkilld.
The Australian has emerged as one of the UFC’s most dangerous prospects thanks to his explosive knockout power, but he now faces the toughest test of his career against one of the division’s most established names.
Since arriving in the UFC in 2020, ‘Gamer’ has consistently remained among the lightweight elite. The former KSW two-division champion has built victories over Arman Tsarukyan, Rafael Fiziev, Rafael dos Anjos, Jalin Turner, Ludovit Klein, and Esteban Ribovics, proving his ability to compete with both rising contenders and seasoned veterans.
Although Gamrot fell short against reigning BMF champion Charles Oliveira last October, he quickly returned to winning ways by submitting Esteban Ribovics earlier this year. The performance was another reminder of his ability to rebound from setbacks, a quality that has kept him among the lightweight elite throughout his UFC tenure.
That consistency has earned Gamrot a reputation as the lightweight division’s ultimate gatekeeper. Any fighter hoping to break into title contention must first solve the puzzle presented by the Polish standout, whose relentless wrestling, elite cardio, and well-rounded skill set have frustrated some of the best competitors at 155 pounds.
For Salkilld, defeating Gamrot would be the biggest win of his career and likely launch him into the upper tier of the lightweight rankings. For Gamrot, however, another victory would reinforce his standing among the division’s elite while proving once again why he remains one of the toughest obstacles on the road to UFC gold.
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