Mateusz Gamrot saw Arman Tsarukyan's 'conditioning going down' at UFC on ESPN 38

After a slow start, Mateusz Gamrot knew he had to pick up the pace against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC on ESPN 38.

The former KSW two-division title holder relied on his championship experience down the stretch and made his opponent work through grappling and takedowns in a closely-contested unanimous decision triumph on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“My corner told me, ‘Hey, you lose the first and second round,’” Gamrot said at the UFC on ESPN 38 post-fight press conference. “And I know that I have to accelerate. If I want to win, I have to accelerate to another round. But I told you in the press conference before the fight, I am experienced. I’m used to fighting five rounds, I’m used to big pressure, I used to be the champion, you know?

“I saw Arman’s eyes, that he was going down every single round. His conditioning going down, my conditioning going up, and I knew that conditioning was going to be key this fight.”

Gamrot has won four straight fights in the Octagon and 21 of 22 professional outings overall. “Gamer” has seen his share of big events while fighting in Poland, but headlining a UFC card was different if only for the type of media obligations that were involved. It was worthwhile, because the Polish standout gained a new measure of recognition for his latest effort.

“I don’t feel in there a lot of nerves, because every single fight for me is like normal fight, but I [was] feeling more tired because more was media talking from English. My English is getting better, but it’s a long way, and I still have to learn,” he said. “But I feel great, feel great for sure. UFC is [the biggest] league championship in the world. It’s biggest sport. Now I’m fighting in the main event. I have five fights in the UFC and four bonuses. This is amazing for me. Change life. Everything change life. I’m so happy that I can fight in the UFC. Now people know who I am. Everyone knows who is Mateusz Gamrot.”

With that recognition should come more big-name matchups. Gamrot explained that his post-fight callout of Justin Gaethje, a two-time UFC lightweight title challenger, is all about respect.

“I’m a big fan of Justin Gaethje,” Gamrot said. “I have a lot of respect for him, I think he’s the most brutal guy in the lightweight division. This guy fought two times in title shots. I think he is old school, I am new generation, now I want to switch places. I start climbing in the top.”

Gamrot also revealed a conversation with Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was at UFC on ESPN 38 to corner Umar Nurmagomedov. Khabib’s protege, Islam Makhachev, is expected to face Charles Oliveira for the lightweight belt in the near future, but retired former champ sees Gamrot as a potential foe down the road.

“Today, I was asking with Khabib, he said to me, ‘Congratulations on your fight. You are a nice guy. For sure, in the future you will meet with Islam in a fight,’” Gamrot said. “So I keep my fingers crossed for Islam, I think Islam beats Charles Oliveira next fight, and I want a next fight with Justin and next fighting with Islam. Simple plan.”