Mateusz Gamrot discussed his experiences traveling and living between Poland and the United States on the "WojewódzkiKędzierski" podcast. He stated that Poland is cleaner, safer, more hospitable, and in many ways more modern than the US, despite having its own governmental and legal problems. Gamrot shared anecdotes about outdated payment technology in American restaurants and what he perceives as superficial social interactions in the US. He also mentioned that while the US offers advantages for sports careers, his children prefer visiting family in Poland over Florida vacations. Gamrot emphasized that handling daily matters is easier at home where he knows the shortcuts and systems.
Mateusz Gamrot has opened up about life split between two countries, making clear where his loyalties lie when it comes to everyday living. The Polish lightweight, appearing on the "WojewódzkiKędzierski" podcast, argued that Poland outpaces the United States on cleanliness, safety, hospitality, and even modern infrastructure — even while acknowledging that his home country has its own share of governmental and legal shortcomings.
Gamrot, 35, competes in the UFC lightweight division and is currently ranked tenth in the world with a professional record of 26-4-0. Training out of American Top Team, the southpaw from Poland has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded fighters in the 155-pound class, averaging 5.15 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 51 percent and 3.29 significant strikes landed per minute. His career has required him to navigate life across two continents, giving him a firsthand basis for comparison.
On the podcast, Gamrot described encounters with what he sees as outdated payment technology in American restaurants and offered his take on social interactions in the US as feeling surface-level compared to what he experiences at home. He acknowledged that the United States provides real professional advantages for fighters, particularly through access to elite training environments, but said that the personal and logistical comforts of Poland tip the scales for him outside of the gym. He noted that his children favor trips back to visit family in Poland over vacations in Florida — a detail that appeared to carry genuine weight in his view.
Gamrot also pointed out that navigating daily life simply runs more smoothly on home turf, where he understands the systems and knows how to get things done efficiently.
Why it matters
- Gamrot is a top-ten lightweight with cross-continental career experience, giving his cultural observations real-world grounding
- His continued base at American Top Team shows the US remains central to his athletic development despite personal preferences
- The comments offer a rare candid look at how fighters at his level balance career demands with family and quality of life
