Quillan Salkilld revealed that fans were seriously upset with him for finishing Jaime Mullarkey by submission when they expected a knockout. Salkilld explained that people don't realize how difficult it is to secure finishes at the UFC level. He said fans saw his knockout highlights and assumed he was purely a striker, not understanding his grappling abilities. Salkilld joked that he had to apologize for submitting his opponent. Looking ahead to his next fight, he stated he'll try to knock out his opponent but will win however he can.
Quillan Salkilld has revealed that fans were displeased with him for submitting Jaime Mullarkey, with many having expected the Australian lightweight to put his opponent away with his hands instead.
Salkilld, who holds a 12-1 record and sits ranked 15th in the UFC lightweight division, spoke candidly about the reaction he received following the finish. The 26-year-old explained that supporters had watched his knockout highlights and drawn the conclusion that he was a pure striker, leaving them blindsided when he secured the submission victory. He went as far as to joke that he found himself apologizing for the manner of the win.
The Luistro Combat Academy product is considerably more versatile than his highlight reel suggests. Standing six feet tall with a 75-inch reach, Salkilld is one of the more complete fighters in the division, posting a striking accuracy of 57 percent and a striking output of 5.16 significant strikes per minute. Perhaps more telling, however, are his grappling numbers — he averages an eye-catching 7.95 takedowns per 15 minutes, a figure that underscores just how dangerous he is once a fight hits the mat.
Salkilld acknowledged that fans don't fully appreciate how difficult it is to secure any kind of finish at the UFC level, regardless of method. He noted that he will look to knock out his next opponent but made clear he intends to win by whatever means present themselves.
Why it matters
- Salkilld's submission win over Mullarkey demonstrated a well-rounded skill set that his striking-focused reputation had obscured
- At just 26 years old and already ranked 15th at lightweight, he is establishing himself as a genuine divisional prospect
- His comments signal an aggressive approach heading into his next outing, with finishing the priority regardless of how it comes
