Mateusz Gamrot (right) fought Gary Tonon at the ADCC World Championships in 2019. | Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Matuesz Gamrot replaces Renato Moicano at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Korean Zombie.
On October 17th the UFC will be back on Fight Island, outside of Abu Dhabi, with an event that includes top featherweights Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung clashing in the main event. That card was also supposed to feature former featherweight Renato Moicano (14-3-1) in his second UFC lightweight bout, versus Magomed Mustafaev (14-4).
However, Moicano has been forced to withdraw from that bout because he is unable to leave the US. AG Fight, who initially reported on Moicano’s situation, said the Brazilian—who trains out of ATT in Florida—was stuck on US soil for undisclosed reasons.
Stepping in on not-very-short notice for Moicano will be undefeated KSW lightweight and featherweight champion Mateusz Gamrot (17-0 1 NC) (per MMA Junkie).
The majority of Gamrot’s career has been spent in his native Poland and with KSW. He has also competed in Cage Warriors and Night of Champions. In KSW Gamrot had a trilogy of fights with The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes winner Norman Parke.
The first time Gamrot met Parke was at KSW 39: Colosseum in 2017. That bout was for Gamrot’s KSW lightweight championship, a title he won two fights earlier versus Mansour Barnaoui.
Gamrot defended his title by beating Parke by unanimous decision (after possibly biting Parke). Gamrot met Parke again five months later at KSW 40 in Dublin. That bout ended in a no contest due to accidental eye pokes. After the bout Parke was attacked by one of Gamrot’s cornermen.
The two would have their trilogy fight three years later.
At KSW: 53 Reborn in July Gamrot beat Parke by doctor stoppage, successfully defending his lightweight belt. Gamrot defended his title again a month later, beating Marion Zlolkowski by unanimous decision.
Mustafaev is 3-2 in the UFC with wins over Piotr Hallmann, Joe Proctor and Rafael Fiziev. He last UFC outing was a split decision loss to Brad Riddell at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker in February.