Quillan Salkilld revealed that fans were upset with him for winning his fight against Jamie Mullarkey by submission rather than knockout, which they had expected based on his previous finishes. The fighter explained that fans didn't realize he was capable of finishing fights by submission and were frustrated when he submitted his opponent instead of knocking him out. Salkilld joked that he had to apologize to fans who only saw him as a knockout artist and didn't know about his grappling skills. He stated he will try to knock out his next opponent but emphasized that securing finishes at the UFC level is difficult regardless of the method.
Quillan Salkilld has addressed criticism from fans who took issue with how he finished his lightweight bout against compatriot Jamie Mullarkey, revealing the backlash stemmed from the manner of victory rather than the result itself.
Salkilld, ranked 15th in the UFC lightweight division, submitted Mullarkey rather than stopping him with strikes, and a portion of his fanbase made clear they were unhappy with that outcome. The 26-year-old Australian explained that fans had come to know him purely as a knockout artist and simply were not aware he possessed the grappling ability to end fights on the ground. In somewhat good humor, Salkilld noted he found himself in the unusual position of having to apologize for winning. He acknowledged he will look to knock out his next opponent, while also stressing that finishing anyone at the UFC level is a difficult task regardless of the method used.
The numbers behind Salkilld's game tell the fuller story fans may have missed. Fighting out of Luistro Combat Academy, the six-foot, 183-centimeter orthodox striker lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a 57-percent accuracy rate, numbers that explain the knockout reputation. Less visible but clearly present is a takedown rate of 7.95 per 15 minutes, a figure that underlines genuine wrestling credentials to complement his submission ability.
Mullarkey, a fellow Australian and fellow six-footer who trains at Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA, brought a record of 18 wins and 9 losses into the contest. The 31-year-old is an active striker in his own right, averaging 4.10 significant strikes per minute, though his submission attempts of just 0.10 per 15 minutes highlight why a grappling-based finish may have come as a surprise to observers of both men.
Why it matters
- Salkilld's submission finish exposes a more complete skill set than his knockout highlight reel suggests
- A 12-1 record with a current ranking of 15th in lightweight keeps him in contention for a step up in competition
- The style matchup debate around his next fight now opens beyond pure striking considerations
