Quillan Salkilld has made it clear that he is not interested in taking the easy route to UFC title contention.
Speaking during the UFC Vegas 120 media day, the Australian lightweight revealed that he specifically requested a matchup against Mateusz Gamrot after his last victory, believing a win over one of the division’s toughest competitors would carry far greater significance than defeating a lower-ranked opponent.
“I called for [Gamrot] after my last fight, and I’m glad that they gave it. He’s a super tough fighter. He’s no picnic for anyone, and that’s exactly why I wanted this fight. I’m not looking to cherrypick my way to the top of the division. I want hard fights. I want someone that’s going to put a lot of respect on my name when I win against him.”
Check out Quillan Salkilld’s comments below (18:15):
The lightweight main event headlines UFC Vegas 120 this Saturday at the UFC Apex, with No. 6-ranked Gamrot welcoming the surging No. 9-ranked Salkilld in what is easily the biggest fight of the Australian’s career.
Quillan Salkilld embracing the toughest test of his UFC career
Quillan Salkilld has rapidly emerged as one of the UFC’s brightest lightweight prospects since earning his contract through Dana White’s Contender Series.
The Aussie announced himself with a 19-second knockout of Anshul Jubli before adding notable victories over Nasrat Haqparast, Jamie Mullarkey, and veteran contender Beneil Dariush. Along the way, Salkilld has showcased devastating knockout power while also proving he possesses a dangerous submission game.
Gamrot, however, represents an entirely different challenge.
The former two-division KSW champion has spent years cementing himself among the lightweight elite, earning victories over the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Rafael Fiziev, Rafael dos Anjos, Jalin Turner, Ludovit Klein, and most recently Esteban Ribovics. Even after suffering a submission loss to former champion Charles Oliveira, the Polish standout rebounded with an emphatic submission victory over Ribovics to reaffirm his place near the top of the division.
‘Gamer’s’ relentless chain wrestling, pace, and durability have made him the division’s ultimate measuring stick for rising contenders. Rather than avoiding that challenge, Salkilld actively sought it out.
A victory this weekend would be the biggest of Salkilld’s career and could propel him into the lightweight title conversation. More importantly, it would validate the confidence behind his bold decision to pursue one of the toughest matchups available instead of taking a safer path up the rankings.
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