UFC Rio did not go to plan for Mateusz Gamrot.
“Gamer” stepped up to face former UFC Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira with just two weeks to prepare, and his gamble did not pay off. Though Gamrot was able to secure a takedown, he was soundly out-grappled by the Brazilian ace once actually on the canvas. After eating some heavy shots early in the second, Gamrot was taken down and strangled for the first finish loss of his professional career (watch highlights).
It’s a definite setback for the Polish wrestler, but he’s not deterred. In his first social media post since the defeat, Gamrot promised to endure and refused to quit.
“The wolf could not weather the storm,” Gamrot on Instagram. “The wind was too strong, the lightning was too close, and the ground beneath my feet was shaking like a heart. He’s down. Not because of lack of courage, but because of the weight of everything that heaven carried. But even then, he didn’t go back. He didn’t quit, he didn’t fold, he did not quit. He raised his head to the black clouds and with a strained look with tears in his eyes he said – it ain’t over yet!!
“Because although the storm stopped his step, it could not break his path. Deep in the heart, the flame is still burning – and it is the one who guides it further, through the wind, through the night, through the uncertainty. The wolf did not go through the storm, but the storm did not break him either.“
One quality win could push him right back into the mix.
