Australian UFC rising star Quillan Salkilld has been handed the biggest fight of his career, with the undefeated prospect announced to face Mateusz Gamrot in the headline bout at UFC Vegas 120.
It’s a major step up for the West Aussie knockout artist (5-0), who has emerged as one of the most exciting young fighters in all of mixed martial arts.
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Now, he will get the chance to test himself against a proven lightweight in Gamrot (9-4), a dangerous veteran with plenty of experience at the top level.
The Polish fighter is coming off a submission win at UFC over Esteban Ribovics and has notable victories over the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Arman Tsarukyan, Rafael Fiziev and Jalin Turner.
Salkilld, who called out Gamrot after his thrilling win over Beneil Dariush in May, is on a five fight win streak in the UFC with four first-round KO’s and four “Performance of the Night” bonuses.
“Each one is a bigger step up, and I am here to carve my own path. I am here to take over the division and each fight I just get to prove that the division is mine and I belong there at the top,” Salkilld told The West Australian.
“I have the strength over him in the striking department. I’m more dangerous than he is in terms of the striking, the finishing ability on the feet and even the finishing ability on the mats.
“My submission game is stronger than his, my striking game is stronger than his.
“He’s got good grappling and wrestling pressure, but I am not going to feel like there’s going to be a threat submission-wise on the mat or even on the feet.
“His most powerful weapon is his pace, and I am going to be looking to attack. No matter where the fight goes, I am going to be super dangerous and be a threat to finish the fight — any minute, any round in any position.”
The Aussie has also developed a big following online and is embracing his growing popularity.
“It’s cool and very funny,” Salkilld told Fox Sports Australiaearlier this year.
“I’ve steered into the memes a bit on the internet – and people seem to find it funny.
“I’m just happy that I’m on the good end of memes and not the bad end.
“The internet can be ruthless at times… well most of the time.
“I’m just happy that things are on my side at the moment.”
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Meanwhile, fellow Aussie Rob Whittaker has opened up about his upcoming light heavyweight debut against Nikita Krylov on the stacked UFC 329 card.
At 35, “Bobby Knuckles” admitted weight cuts become tougher with age.
“I’ve done all the right things,” he said on Demetrious Johnson’s podcast.
“I’m not going to light heavyweight as an out-of-shape middleweight. I’m not just a middleweight that can eat more now. I’ve been doing the right things. I’ve leaned up.”
The former champ also addressed social media speculation suggesting he looks undersized for the division.
“Yes, Reddit absolutely kills me with every photo,” he said.
“Every photo I post up or somebody else posts, it’s like, ‘Not excited for ‘Bobby’ looking so small at light heavyweight. Bobby is looking small.’”
“I’m just short, dude. I’m short.”
Whittaker, who will appear on the prelims for the first time in 13 years, said he is excited to feature on one of the biggest cards of the year.
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“Every international fight week is awesome,” he said.
“But to be fighting on a card where Max (Holloway) and Conor (McGregor) are headlining is great as well.”