Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has publicly stated that the UFC should organize a rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Mateusz Gamrot. The two fighters previously met in a highly competitive bout. Poirier's opinion suggests that a second meeting would be compelling for fans and the lightweight division. The comments also reflect Poirier's belief that Tsarukyan has evolved significantly as a fighter since their first encounter.
Dustin Poirier has publicly called on the UFC to book a rematch between Arman Tsarukyan and Mateusz Gamrot, adding his voice to what could become a meaningful lightweight conversation heading into the second half of 2026.
Poirier, 37, is one of the most decorated fighters in lightweight history. The American Top Team product carries a 30-10 record and held the interim lightweight title during his career. A southpaw out of Louisiana, he stands five-foot-nine with a 72-inch reach and has long been one of the division's most active strikers, landing 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Tsarukyan enters the picture as the division's number-one ranked contender, sitting just outside the championship picture with a 23-3 record. The 29-year-old Russian fights out of American Top Team and brings a well-rounded game, averaging 3.85 significant strikes per minute and 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes. Poirier noted that Tsarukyan has evolved considerably since the two men first shared the Octagon.
Gamrot, ranked tenth at lightweight, provides the other half of the equation. The 35-year-old Polish fighter holds a 26-4 record and is one of the most prolific takedown artists in the division, averaging an elite 5.15 takedowns per 15 minutes. His 51 percent striking accuracy adds a credible standup dimension to his grappling-heavy approach.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan is the number-one contender, making any high-profile opponent selection directly relevant to title picture positioning
- A Gamrot rematch would test whether Tsarukyan's reported growth translates against a grappler capable of neutralizing his wrestling
- Both fighters share American Top Team roots, adding an internal divisional subplot to the potential booking
- Poirier's public endorsement brings visibility to a matchup that could otherwise be overlooked given Gamrot's current ranking
