Paddy Pimblett commented on Mateusz Gamrot's lack of popularity in the UFC, pointing out that Gamrot has faced unranked opponents twice in his last three fights despite being ranked in the top 10 himself. Pimblett attributed this to Gamrot being a boring fighter who does not attract much attention from fans or the UFC. His remarks highlight the disparity between Gamrot's ranking and the level of opponents he has been matched against. The comments have sparked debate among fans about whether Gamrot deserves higher-profile matchups.
Paddy Pimblett has taken aim at fellow lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot, criticizing both the Polish fighter's popularity and the quality of opponents he has been matched against despite holding a top-ten ranking.
Pimblett, ranked sixth in the UFC lightweight division, argued that Gamrot's lack of fan appeal has led to mismatched booking, noting that Gamrot has faced unranked opponents twice in his last three fights. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian carries a 23-4 record and trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool. Fighting out of an orthodox stance with a 73-inch reach, Pimblett lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more well-rounded and entertaining fighters in the division.
Gamrot, ranked tenth at lightweight, holds a record of 26-4 and trains with American Top Team. The 35-year-old southpaw from Poland stands 178 centimeters tall with a matching 70-inch reach. He is a formidable wrestler, averaging an impressive 5.15 takedowns per 15 minutes, though his striking output sits at 3.29 significant strikes per minute. Pimblett's comments suggest he views Gamrot's style as the root cause of his lower-profile status, framing the Pole as a fighter who struggles to draw attention from fans and UFC matchmakers alike.
Why it matters
- Gamrot sits at number ten in the lightweight rankings despite Pimblett's claim that his recent opponents have been unranked, raising questions about divisional matchmaking consistency.
- The comments reignite a broader debate about whether rankings or marketability drive booking decisions at 155 pounds.
- A potential stylistic clash exists between Pimblett's submission-heavy, fan-friendly approach and Gamrot's wrestling-dominant game.
- Pimblett's higher ranking and larger public profile give his criticism added weight within the division.
