If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Nasrat Haqparast was the one taking the fight on 10 days’ notice.
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But in just his third UFC fight, Quillan Salkilld has well and truly put himself in the frame for a shot at a much higher ranked opponent next after sending Haqparast crashing to the canvas with a contender for Knockout of the Year.
In concerning scenes, Haqparast was left unconscious for several minutes after a perfectly-timed head kick from Salkilld put him out cold.
Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier described it as “one of the craziest knockouts” he had seen “in a very long time” and speaking to Cormier in the octagon after the fight, Salkilld called for the $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
“I’m just happy to be here,” Salkilld said.
“10 days’ notice, a 13-kilo cut, wicked opponent, a big step up for me, and for it to end like that I think I definitely deserve a bonus after that 100 per cent.
Salkilld is now 3-0 in the UFC and 10-1 as a pro, having exploded onto the scene in the UFC with a vicious 19-second finish of Anshul Jubli.
The Australian told Cormier he wants a “opponent in the top 15” next.
“I understand, it’s only my third fight and if there’s someone else, but my eyes are on the top 15 on the rankings,” he said.
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While Salkilld’s attention may be squarely on a top-ranked opponent, it is not like Haqparast was any easybeat.
In fact, he himself had won five-straight fights before he ran into the Australian, who revealed to foxsports.com.au last week that he had already been studying the Afghani before being offered the chance to take him on.
“This is a really good step up for me,” Salkilld said at the time.
“He’s ranked No.15 so I’m looking to take that spot.
“And if I do win on 10 days’ notice, I deserve that spot. I jump the queue.
“I know it’s going to be tough.
“But I’ve actually been watching this guy for quite a while now anyway because I’d been expecting us to match up in the future.
“He brings a good skill set — especially with the hands — and we’ll be doing all the study we can over the next few days to prepare.”