Former UFC champion criticizes Mateusz Gamrot for celebrating after Rafael Fiziev's injury at UFC Vegas 79.
Mateusz Gamrot wins lightweight clash against Rafael Fiziev due to knee injury, faces criticism for celebration, calls out Charles Oliveira.
In the highly anticipated main event of UFC Vegas 79, Mateusz Gamrot and Rafael Fiziev engaged in an epic lightweight battle. The fight was evenly matched, with both fighters showcasing their skills. However, tragedy struck in the second round when Fiziev suffered a devastating knee injury that prematurely ended the fight.
It was later revealed that Fiziev had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while attempting a body kick. This unfortunate injury resulted in a TKO victory for Gamrot, who emerged victorious and claimed Fiziev's No.6 ranking on the lightweight roster.
Naturally, Gamrot was overjoyed with his win and the financial benefits that came with it. However, his celebration in the octagon drew criticism from former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill. Hill took to social media to express his disapproval, stating that celebrating a victory obtained through an injury was distasteful.
While Fiziev faces a long road to recovery, with a typical ACL tear requiring 6-12 months of rehabilitation, Gamrot took the opportunity to address his critics. In a classy message to his fans, he acknowledged that the fight's conclusion was not what anyone had expected. Nevertheless, he expressed his well wishes for Fiziev's speedy recovery and thanked everyone for their support.
Looking ahead, Gamrot has his sights set on a new challenge. He desires to test his grappling skills against Charles Oliveira, the UFC's all-time leader in submission victories. Gamrot believes that Oliveira is the only opponent who won't shy away from grappling exchanges, making him the perfect test for his skills.
Oliveira is currently scheduled to face Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 294 next month. Gamrot predicts that the fight will mirror Oliveira's previous encounter with Makhachev, where the Brazilian was submitted by the Dagestani fighter at UFC 280.
In a post-fight media appearance, Gamrot expressed his desire to face Oliveira, emphasizing the Brazilian's reputation as a dangerous ground fighter. He aims to showcase his own exceptional jiu-jitsu skills and believes that Oliveira will be the first opponent in his career who truly challenges him on the ground. Gamrot confidently predicts that the outcome of Oliveira's upcoming fight with Makhachev will be identical to their previous encounter.
In conclusion, Mateusz Gamrot's victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC Vegas 79 was marred by Fiziev's unfortunate knee injury. Despite criticism for his celebration, Gamrot remains focused on his future goals, including a potential matchup with Charles Oliveira. He is eager to display his grappling prowess and believes that Oliveira will provide the ultimate test in the octagon.
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