Quillan Salkilld had initially planned to watch Sunday week’s UFC 321 blockbuster from his lounge room couch, and while eating an oversized pile of bacon and eggs.
But now?
Well, his breakfasts have been punted altogether.
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What with Australia’s hyped lightweight suddenly jetting out for Abu Dhabi – and a fight on the card himself.
In a shock move all backbone, bedlam and balls, Salkilld has sensationally agreed to step up and face Nasrat Haqparast on what will be only 10 days’ notice.
Confirming the news with Fox Sports Australia on Friday, the 25-year-old Perth fighter also revealed how his team are still scrambling to sort flights for an event headlined by UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
With a laugh, Salkilld added that, initially, he had even brushed the call to announce what will be his third UFC showdown this year, and after only making his debut in February – albeit via that brutal finish of India’s Anshul Jubli in 19 seconds.
“Wednesday morning, I was woken by a phone call from my manager,” the fighter recalls of what now shapes as a whirlwind push to not only make weight by October 26, but ready his cardio for a fight.
“And to be honest, I sort’ve slept through.
“I was still a bit out of it, so ignored the call thinking I’d just ring back once I woke up properly.
“But then my manager called back, and this time via Facetime.
“And the only time that happens is when there is a match up to discuss …”
So immediately, Salkilld answered.
“And with a mad bed head,” he laughs. “Looking all crazy and s***.
“That’s when I got the offer.
“We’d been looking for a match for months, and almost had one.
“It was going to be on an Apex card in November, but that had fallen through a few days earlier.
“But then this opportunity came up so, yeah … chuck me in there.”
Indeed, when quizzed on effectively coming off the couch to challenge Haqparast, who is on a run of five straight wins, and boasts 14 UFC appearances against his two, the West Australian stressed he was ready to go.
“Because we initially thought I was on for that Apex card anyway,” he continues. “So I’d actually started a camp last week.
“So even though I then found out he wasn’t available, I’m a week into dieting and everything.
“It means I’ll actually have almost 14 days to prepare”.
Which, we suggest, is a wonderfully glass-half-full attitude.
“When taking that call Wednesday morning,” the Aussie continues, “my only thought was ‘can I make the weight in 10 days?’.
“And while I know I’ll be hurting, I’ll make it.
“I’m always training and staying ready anyway.
“Plus right now, I’m only a little heavier than what I would usually be.”
So no thoughts of turning the opportunity down then?
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“Never,” Salkilld stresses. “I’m a guy who finds it hard to say ‘no’.
“I’m not injured, and I’ve been looking for a fight.
“So when one is offered, I’m going to say ‘yes’.”
And as for what plans surrounding next weekend have now gone out the window?
“I was going to be watching the card anyway,” he laughs. “And over a bacon and egg breakfast.
“But not anymore.
“Once I got the call, first thing I did Wednesday was give breakfast a miss.”
Asked when he now flies out for Abu Dhabi, and the fighter continues: “Well, I’m looking to go Sunday but there have been no flights finalised yet.
“But it’s getting sorted right now, as we speak.
“This is a really good step up for me.
“My opponent is ranked about No.15 so I’m looking to take that spot.
“I win this fight and I jump the queue.”
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