Quillan Salkilld explains Mateusz Gamrot callout after UFC Perth

Quillan Salkilld knocked out Beneil Dariush in the first round at UFC Perth last weekend and immediately targeted Mateusz Gamrot for his next fight.

The Australian told MMA Junkie that Gamrot’s scramble-heavy wrestling style is exactly the kind of test he wants. Salkilld studied tape of Gamrot’s 2022 loss to Dariush before his own bout and believes the timing works with the Polish fighter ranked seventh. “I love watching Gamrot,” Salkilld said, per Sherdog. “I like the wrestling style; he has an exciting wrestling style where he just hits scrambles. He is the kind of fight I’ve always pictured myself having.”

Salkilld eyeing top-10 ranked opponent next

Despite closing as the betting favourite, Salkilld absorbed an early knockdown from Dariush before settling into his fight IQ. He defended takedowns along the fence, created separation, and finished Dariush with a combination followed by ground strikes. The 26-year-old has now won twelve straight fights and earned four performance bonuses in five UFC appearances since his promotional debut last year.

Salkilld told reporters after the fight that he maintains his composure regardless of circumstances. “When shit hits the fan, I don’t really stress too much,” he said, according to Sherdog. “I stay calm in every situation. And I think that just spoke tonight.”

The lightweight prospect said he wants to speedrun his climb through the rankings rather than take his time with matchmaking. Gamrot rebounded from a submission loss to Charles Oliveira by submitting Estevan Ribovics in his most recent outing. Salkilld added that he would welcome a main event slot for the Gamrot fight, telling reporters he is looking to “jump in headfirst” with bigger names and brighter moments.

Original reporting:

• sherdog.com — Quillan Salkilld: Why I called out Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Perth
• sherdog.com — Quillan Salkilld in a hurry to move up UFC rankings