Mateusz Gamrot made it clear that he felt overlooked for a UFC title shot. Not too long ago, Gamrot was set to be the backup fighter for the UFC 294 lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira—but that didn’t happen.
Gamrot, who’s preparing to take on Ľudovít Klein in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 107 this Saturday, was actually training as a backup for the October 2023 card. Shortly before that event, Charles Oliveira pulled out of his fight with Makhachev. Even though Gamrot had been named the backup, the UFC ended up booking a rematch between Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski instead—likely due to the excitement surrounding their first meeting earlier that year at UFC 284.
Gamrot believes Volk was chosen over him because he’s a bigger name. He didn’t hide his disappointment about not being called to step in when Oliveira withdrew from the lightweight title fight at UFC 294.
In a few interviews, Gamrot admitted he was frustrated. He said he had done everything the UFC asked of him—made weight, stayed ready, and even put other plans on hold just in case the opportunity arose.
“Yeah, that’s true, but the UFC—it’s politics,” Gamrot told MMA Fighting. “At that moment, Volkanovski was a bigger name than me, and the fight was in Abu Dhabi, so maybe some sheikh said, ‘Hey, we want Volk because the first fight was excellent—five rounds—and everybody expects that this [rematch] will look the same.’
“So I was surprised that the UFC did this, but it’s politics, you know. Volk was a bigger name, so the UFC chose him. This was like two or three weeks before Charles got injured, so Volk had a little bit of time to prepare. It is what it is, bro. I was there. I was happy. I was ready to step in. Everybody knows this—I’m ready anytime, bro. If you need me in the cage, I’m there.”
After being in the elusive championship backup spot and still not getting his chance to fight for the title, Gamrot was asked if he would agree to serve as a substitute for a big main event again.
“It depends,” Gamrot said. “It depends on which fight and when it’s going to be. But right now, I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Even though Gamrot was disappointed about not getting the title shot, he didn’t let it slow him down. He stayed focused, kept training, and is now ready to prove he belongs at the top in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 107 this Saturday.
