LAS VEGAS – The UFC 294 main event has a designated backup fighter should either Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira be unable to compete at the Oct. 21 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.
Mateusz Gamrot has assumed that role and will weigh in Oct. 14, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Saturday at a UFC Fight Night 229 post-fight news conference. Gamrot had revealed the news earlier Friday while doing media in Poland.
Gamrot, 32, most recently competed Sept. 23 at UFC Fight Night 228 when opponent Rafael Fiziev suffered a torn ACL and was rendered unable to continue. Gamrot notched a second-round TKO victory as a result.
The win was Gamrot’s sixth in seven fights and second in a row His only loss in the UFC to date came against Beneil Dariush in October 2022. Prior to the win over Fiziev, Gamrot defeated Jalin Turner by split decision.
Dana White confirms Mateusz Gamrot will serve as the #UFC294 main event backup fighter for Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira.
Full video: https://t.co/ZUbISHjMT3 pic.twitter.com/jGxzVhOBic
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 8, 2023
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 229.