Mateusz Gamrot has his sights set on Islam Makhachev.
Gamrot (21-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is edging closer to lightweight title contention and could take a big leap if he gets past Beneil Dariush (21-4-1 MMA, 15-4-1 UFC) on Oct. 22 at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Headlining that event is a vacant lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira (33-8 MMA, 21-8 UFC) and Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC), which Gamrot thinks Makhachev will win.
“This is my dream fight,” Gamrot said in an interview with MMA News. “When I train MMA, I’m thinking about I want to fight with the best guys. Islam is for sure the best in this division, I think future champ. I think my fight with Islam is gonna be the biggest fight in Europe ever.”
Former two-division KSW champion Gamrot is picking Makhachev to win, but he doesn’t see him finishing Oliveira.
“This is gonna be a great fight,” Gamrot said. “I think if Islam doesn’t make stupid mistakes in this fight, he should win. I think my pick is gonna be Islam beating Oliveira. … I think this is gonna be a decision.”
But before he gets his desired matchup with Makhachev, Gamrot needs to beat the streaking Dariush, whom he acknowledges is an elite grappler like himself.
“Dariush is a tough opponent,” Gamrot said. “All-around, big, strong, high-level wrestling and jiu-jitsu. This guy is one of the best in the lightweight division. I’m super excited, but I’m super ready.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
Mateusz Gamrot: UFC fight with ‘future champ’ Islam Makhachev will be biggest in Europe