Quillan Salkilld is hitting his first main event fight this Saturday in Las Vegas, but get this: the 26-year-old from Western Australia has a bizarre career quirk. He lost his first pro MMA fight back in 2021, his first amateur MMA bout, *and* his first kickboxing bout. Seriously, how wild is that?
The “Mulligan” That Led to 12 Straight Wins
This dude is a machine despite those initial stumbles. Salkilld, who rocks a 12-1 pro record and is an unbelievable 5-0 since his UFC debut in February 2025, isn’t allowed to be undefeated. “It’s just a curse,” Salkilld told CBS Sports HQ with a wry smile, “I’m just not allowed to win the first one. It’s like a mulligan. We just get that one out of the way, it doesn’t count.” And after that first pro defeat, he absolutely exploded, piling up 12 consecutive wins with nine stoppages! He’s only been a pro for five years and in the UFC for less than two, yet he’s already delivered a first-round TKO against Beneil Dariush in May and that highlight-reel head kick knockout over Nasrat Haqparast last October. Now he’s the No. 12 ranked guy at 155 pounds. He’s not just climbing, he’s “speed running” to the top.
Gamrot is Standing Directly in the Way
Now, Salkilld is the betting favorite against No. 8 Mateusz Gamrot in their five-round clash at the Meta Apex. Gamrot, a 35-year-old Polish veteran with a 26-4, 1 NC record, is known as a relentless pressure wrestler. But here’s the kicker: Salkilld actually called out Gamrot specifically for this fight! He’s not shying away from the challenge. Salkilld said getting past Gamrot is “super important” to him and will “skyrocket” him to the top end of the division. He’s worked his tail off for this, and he’s ready to “put on a show Saturday and make a statement.” If he can pull it off, Salkilld would join an elite group of UFC champions who also lost their pro debuts, a club that includes legends like Alex Pereira, Amanda Nunes, Cris Cyborg, and more.
So, this Saturday in Las Vegas, can Salkilld keep his insane win streak alive and make good on his promise to accelerate his climb? This fight is everything for his title dreams.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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