UFC lightweight Mateusz Gamrot discussed his views on Poland compared to the United States during an appearance on the WojewódzkiKędzierski podcast. Gamrot stated that Poland is cleaner, safer, more hospitable, and in many ways more modern than America despite political issues. He cited examples of outdated payment systems in American restaurants and superficial social interactions. The fighter described Americans as less hospitable, recalling instances where he had to bring his own food to barbecues and experienced only surface-level conversations. Gamrot noted that while the US offers advantages for sports careers, daily life is not necessarily better, and even his children prefer being in Poland. He explained that navigating bureaucracy and daily tasks is much easier at home where he knows the shortcuts.
Mateusz Gamrot has opened up about his life split between the United States and Poland, making clear where his personal loyalties lie when it comes to daily living.
The 35-year-old Polish lightweight, ranked tenth in the UFC's 155-pound division with a professional record of 26-4-0, appeared on the WojowódzkiKędzierski podcast and offered a candid comparison of the two countries. Gamrot, who trains out of American Top Team, acknowledged that the United States provides real advantages for his sporting career, but pushed back firmly against any notion that American life is superior in a broader sense.
Gamrot described Poland as cleaner, safer, more hospitable, and more modern than America in a number of respects. He pointed to outdated payment technology in American restaurants as one example, and characterized social interactions in the US as largely superficial. He recalled being expected to bring his own food to barbecues and feeling that conversations rarely went beyond surface-level pleasantries.
The southpaw fighter also noted that his children share his preference for life in Poland. He added that navigating everyday bureaucracy and routine tasks is far simpler at home, where he knows how the system works and can move through it efficiently.
Why it matters
- Gamrot is one of the UFC's most prominent Polish athletes, making his public perspective on American life notable beyond combat sports
- His comments reflect a broader conversation among international fighters who relocate to the US for training but maintain strong cultural ties elsewhere
- As a ranked lightweight at American Top Team, his dual life between Poland and the United States is a practical reality shaped by career demands rather than personal preference
