Quillan Salkilld revealed that fans were upset with him for finishing Jamie Mullarkey via submission instead of knockout, as many expected a striking finish based on his past knockouts. Salkilld said people didn't realize he could finish fights by grappling and were angry he submitted his opponent. He had to apologize for not delivering the knockout fans anticipated. Salkilld emphasized how difficult it is to secure any finish at the UFC level. The post also asks fans if they would bet on a knockout in his next fight.
Quillan Salkilld has addressed an unexpected backlash from fans following his submission victory over fellow Australian Jamie Mullarkey, revealing he was met with frustration rather than celebration after securing the finish.
The 26-year-old lightweight from Australia, now 12-1-0 and ranked 15th in the division, built his reputation largely on his striking. Landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy, Salkilld had conditioned fans to expect knockouts. When he instead closed the show on the mat, those same fans were caught off guard and, by his account, genuinely angry. He said he found himself in the position of apologizing for winning — specifically for not winning the way people had predicted. He was also quick to stress just how difficult it is to earn any kind of finish at the UFC level, regardless of method.
Mullarkey, 31, entered the fight with an 18-9-0 record and brought his own finishing pedigree to the lightweight division. The Sydney-based fighter averages 4.1 significant strikes per minute, though his grappling output is minimal, averaging just 0.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a factor that may have left him vulnerable once Salkilld chose to take the fight to the ground.
Why it matters
- Salkilld's submission finish revealed a more complete game than fans or opponents may have scouted, backed by a notable 7.95 takedowns per 15 minutes.
- The win over a seasoned 18-fight UFC veteran strengthens his position at number 15 in the lightweight rankings.
- The episode raises a broader question about fan expectations and how a fighter's finishing reputation can create pressure to perform in a specific style, even at the cost of adapting in the moment.
Salkilld himself leaned into the conversation, asking fans whether they would still bet on a knockout next time out — a question that now carries a different weight given what he just demonstrated on the canvas.
