Over three rounds, Kutateladze fended off takedowns and battled his way off the ground to stifle a potent grappling attack from Gamrot while displaying a powerful striking game that ultimately helped him earn a split decision win.
Two judges scored the fight 29-28 for Kutateladze with the third official giving the fight to Gamrot by the same 29-28 score. Despite the win, Kutateladze was in no mood to celebrate after he was unable to perform up to his full abilities.
“It’s not my fight. No. 1 bullsh*t,” Kutateladze said. “I’m an honest man. It wasn’t my fight. Thank you so much of course. I’m not happy because this is not what I was waiting for. Gamrot, you’re a warrior. It was your fight.”
A noted grappler both in MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions, Gamrot did his best to turn to that particular skill set throughout the fight as he attempted more than 10 takedowns over three rounds. To his credit, Kutateladze defended well off his back each time he hit the mat while fending off Gamrot’s grappling multiple times.
As Gamrot continued to look for the takedown, Kutateladze was starting to settle into a rhythm while throwing some serious power behind his kicks, digging into the former KSW champion’s body.
Kutateladze really started to find confidence in his striking including a punch that dropped Gamrot to the mat momentarily at the start of the second round. The combinations from Kutateladze were blistering, which forced Gamrot to try and answer while still seeking a takedown to bring the fight back to his world on the ground.
Straight out of the gate! Don't sleep on @Guram_Dze's power! #UFCFightIsland6 pic.twitter.com/vTJ3AEXSKy
— UFC (@ufc) October 17, 2020
It was a battle of wills throughout all 15 minutes with Gamrot constantly seeking to turn to his wrestling and Kutateladze countering with his striking offense and grappling defense.— UFC (@ufc) October 17, 2020
When the fight ended, the judges did not have an easy decision but ultimately it was Kutateladze who got the win in his UFC debut.
As for Gamrot, the former two-division KSW champion suffers a loss in his first appearance inside the octagon while dropping his record to 17-1 overall.
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