Mateusz Rebecki tired of opponents saying no, wants top-15 test after UFC 295

By Waseem Akram On Nov 14, 2023

NEW YORK – Mateusz Rebecki defeated Roosevelt Roberts by first-round submission on Saturday on the opening card of UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with Rebecki, who won for the 16th straight time.

MatMateusz Rebecki vs. Roosevelt Roberts

NEW YORK, New York - November 11: Mateusz Rebecki de <a class="ceangal " href ="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/teams/poland/" dàta-i13n="diog: susbaint-canabhas; fo-roinn: anchor_text; leamhan:context_link" dàta-eilk ="slk: A 'Phòlainn; diog: susbaint-canabhas; fo-roinn: anchor_text; leamhan:context_link;itc: 0"Bidh > Poland</a> reacts after defeating Roosevelt Roberts in a lightweight bout during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)” data-src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lLXVI84_ox_Bat4BRvzkTA–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA–/https://media.zenfs.com /en/mma_junkie_usa_today_articles_344/a6051429061d0a9a62853a0d924464b9″/><noscript><img alt= — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Mateusz Rebecki of Poland reacts after defeating Roosevelt Roberts in a lightweight bout during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Result: Mateusz Rebecki def. Roosevelt Roberts via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:08
Updated records: Rebecki (19-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Roberts (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC)
Key statistics: Rebecki has 16 of his 19 career wins by stoppage, but this was his first boxing win since 2017.

Rebecki at the main moment of the fight

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Mateusz Rebecki of Poland reacts after defeating Roosevelt Roberts in a lightweight bout during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Mateusz Rebecki of Poland reacts after defeating Roosevelt Roberts in a lightweight bout during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

“I knew I had to be patient because in this situation, you can easily lose position. Then I waited for a good moment to put it in.”

Rebecki has been aggressive

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Mateusz Rebecki of Poland embraces Roosevelt Roberts after their lightweight fight at the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City . (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) — NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Mateusz Rebecki of Poland embraces Roosevelt Roberts after their lightweight fight during the UFC 295 event at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2023 in New York City . (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

“It doesn’t matter who I fight because I have everything. I know a strike. I’m a wrestler, and if I change my opponent, I don’t change my style. I’m an offensive guy who moves forward and doesn’t stop, and every opponent (has to defend me).”

Rebecki on what he wants next

“I want a break. I had a really tough camp. Maybe next year, or in a couple of months. Right now, I need to rest. It’s more important who I want to fight against. And right now, you might want to ask me about this: top 15. Of course (that’s what I want) – obviously. Give me some top 15 opponents.

“I feel it’s a problem with finding good opponents for me. (After Nurullo Aliev pulled out) five people didn’t want to fight with me. Of course, it’s not short, but then again, this is Madison Square Garden. Everyone wants to fight here – but not with me. A few years ago, I also had this problem. Perhaps I am too harsh an opponent. Don’t know. I’m not sure.”

To hear more from Rebecki, watch the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

Story first appeared on MMA Junkie