Australia’s Quillan Salkilld wants to get one back for the Anzacs.
Then, if everything goes to plan, the Perth lightweight has another huge name in mind – Paddy Pimblett.
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Speaking shortly after the announcement of his February 7 showdown with Benoit Saint-Denis at Sydney’s Afterpay Arena, Salkilld was already warming to the task of headlining on home soil.
There is the chance to extend his six-fight UFC winning streak, strengthen his title credentials and avenge the Frenchman’s brutal stoppage of New Zealand favourite Dan Hooker.
Asked whether revenge for Hooker was on his mind, Salkilld grinned.
“Of course. F**king can’t let him get away with that, mate,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“We’re gonna get one back for the Anzacs and send him back to France all sad.”
‘God of War’ stopped Hooker in the second round at UFC 325 in Sydney earlier this year, on the same card where Salkilld submitted Jamie Mullarkey inside the opening round.
Now the Aussie phenom gets his own shot at the former French special forces soldier – and he is expecting a short night.
Asked whether two such aggressive finishers could possibly go the distance, Salkilld shook his head: “Hell no! I wanna train for five rounds just in case, but I really doubt it. I doubt it’s gonna go past the first round, to be honest.”
The matchup is another huge step for Salkilld following consecutive finishes of top lightweights Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot.
It also brings him back to the Sydney venue where he announced himself to UFC fans with a 19-second knockout of Anshul Jubli on debut.
From opening the card to opening the main card, Salkilld will now have his name at the very top of the bill.
“It’s a full-circle moment,” he said.
“I feel like I’m gonna know that arena like the back of my hands soon.”
The opportunity has arrived quickly, but Salkilld believes the manner of his victories has helped accelerate his climb.
He sees a title shot as increasingly within reach, provided he keeps producing the performances that have made him one of Australia’s most exciting prospects.
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Beyond BSD, a meeting with Paddy Pimblett holds particular appeal.
Salkilld said the English superstar would be his next callout if available, although he remains willing to face anyone above him in the division.
“I reckon the Paddy fight would be sick,” he said.
“I think that’s the one a lot of fans wanna see as well.
“It’s like the Scouser Englishman and the Bogan Aussie. It’s pretty much two sides of the same coin if you ask me.”
Away from the Octagon, Salkilld is starting to enjoy the rewards of his work.
There’s a nicer apartment, a little more money to spend and a growing number of people stopping him for a chat.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly for a bloke who has made no secret of his love of the casino, there’s one place in Perth where he’s particularly well known.
“Sometimes I feel like a celeb around here – depends where I go. Like, if I ever set foot in the casino, I swear everyone knows me.
“But if I go somewhere a bit more like bougie, then nobody does.
“So it depends on the demographic, but young people recognise me the most.”
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But while Salkilld can still go unnoticed at some of Perth’s fancier establishments, his living arrangements have had an upgrade.
“I’ve moved into a nice apartment now. Living a little bit more lavishly than I used to. It feels like I’m just reaping the rewards of all my hard work.”
Another big finish in Sydney would certainly help keep that going.
Asked for a message for Saint-Denis, Salkilld kept it brief.
“Au revoir. That’s it.”