Justin Chadwick
Australian rising star Quillan Salkilld wants to gatecrash the upper echelons of the UFC lightweight division, saying it’s time for generation next to kick out the mainstays.
Salkilld has enjoyed an extraordinary start to his UFC career, producing a series of stunning knockouts on the way to four consecutive wins.
The 26-year-old will face his biggest challenge to date when he takes on veteran Beneil Dariush (23-7-1) as part of the co-main event to the Jack Della Maddalena-Carlos Prates fight in Perth on Saturday night.
A win for Salkilld will earn him a top-15 ranking in the star-studded lightweight division, and he already has eyes on future title success.
Ilia Topuria is the current lightweight champion, with Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Benoit Saint Denis, Paddy Pimblett, Mateusz Gamrot and Dan Hooker all among a stacked top 10.
“I want that numbered spot next to my name,” Salkilld said.
“I just think it’s cool that I’m here now, and I’m looking to get them out the way, make room for myself. It’s like the changing of the guard.
“It’s my turn now. So I’m going to be looking to go and win and kick them out and take my own spot.”
Dariush is the 12th-ranked challenger, with the 36-year-old representing the old guard still trying to hang on.
Salkilld, fuelled by his youthfulness and free spirit, revealed he goes into fights without an in-depth fight plan.
“I’m winging it again,” he said.
“I cater what I’m going to do based off just basic style. So obviously, Beneil is Southpaw, and I know where he’s dangerous.
“But in terms of a real specific game plan, I never really have that.
“When I fight, I literally just wing it on the fly, and whatever I feel in the moment is the best path to victory, that’s the path I’m going to take.”
Salkilld believes fighting off instinct brings out the best in him.
“It makes things less stressful. I don’t have to think as much. I don’t need to formulate a plan,” he said.
“I just go with whatever hand I get dealt. I’ll play it and try to make a good outcome out of a bad one.
“I think it’s just like my personality. I’m pretty easy going. I tend to just wing a lot of things now.”
AAP
