Quillan Salkilld, three months ago, needed just 19 seconds to win his hyped UFC debut.
But as for spending the $50,000 bonus accompanying it?
Well, that went quicker again.
“Yeah, it’s already gone,” Salkilld laughs, referencing the bounty that followed his incredible win at UFC 312 in Sydney.
One which saw this hyped Australian lightweight, still only 25, take less time than was required for his walkout to Black Betty – and with an Australian flag draped over both shoulders – to go and finish Anshul Jubli with a brutal right hand.
Within a blink, or close enough, earning the second fastest knockout in UFC history.
That, and his $50K bonus.
“Half of which I spent on a car,” Salkilld continues.
But as for the rest?
“Ah, I like the blackjack table,” he cackles. “That’s why I’m ready to go chase another bonus.”
Wonderfully, UFC executives have now obliged.
With Salkilld, late on Tuesday afternoon, confirming to Fox Sports Australia that he has only recently been confirmed for a UFC 316 showdown against Israel’s Yanal ‘Red Fox’ Ashmouz (8-1).
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Better, the announcement comes just days after fellow West Australian Jack Della Maddalena went and earned himself the UFC welterweight crown.
Which ironically, is a performance Salkilld is now promising to re-enact himself.
Quizzed on his upcoming fight at UFC 316 – which is set to be topped by a hyped rematch between UFC bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley – and the fellow Perth product pointed immediately to JDM.
“Because I think my performance will be similar,” he said of Maddalena’s upset win over champion Belal Muhammad.
“I envision myself putting hands on him.
“Lighting him up.
“I also see good takedown defence, peppering him from the outside, lots of hands, lots of teeps … I think it will be similar that way.”
But as for the West Australian also going the distance, albeit over three rounds rather than five?
“Ah, that’ll be the one difference,” he cackles.
“Mine will be within two rounds … just give me the 10 minutes.”
Already, Sakilld is developing a big reputation within the UFC.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia prior to Sydney’s February card, UFC commentator Jon Anik outed the debutant as the local prospect he was most excited to see.
“Quillan Salkilld feels like he wants to go in there and hurt a man,” Anik said of the fighter who graduated into the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series.
“I like the intensity …”
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Told of those quotes this week, Salkilld admitted to having missed them completely during his UFC 312 fight week.
“But that’s really cool,” he said.
“Makes me feel good.
“I’m a big fan of Jon Anik.”
And as for his prediction?
“I’d say he has a good eye,” he grins.
Elsewhere, Sakilld says he is enjoying the notoriety – and hype – that comes with winning your UFC debut in 19 seconds, and stresses the secret is to keep enjoying the journey.
“The best way to go about it is have fun,” he says.
“As fighters, getting to the UFC is the biggest thing.
“So now I’m here, learning to have fun with it all is the best way to get rid of the nerves.
“Especially in fight week, I love every moment.
“I find that helps me perform better.
“Obviously you have to take things seriously, but don’t let it get to your head.”
And as for his next opponent?
“He’s a strong wrestler and his takedowns have some finesse to them,” Sakilld says of the fighter who has won two of three Octagon appearances, including most recently beating American Trevor Peek last September
“But once it hits the deck, I don’t find him so much of a threat
“Then on the feet, he’s not too intricate, either.
“Throws quite wildly.
“Which is dangerous because he’s an athletic dude.
“But he doesn’t throw his shots too well.”
Elsewhere, Sakilld says he would also love to fight in Perth later this year if JDM earns a title fight there.
“Because I fought on his undercards on the local scene,” he says.
“So it’s really cool to see him now at the pinnacle.”
And as for the praise now coming his way from the likes of Anik and co.?
“I like the pressure that comes with the hype,” he insists.
“I’m somebody who puts a lot of pressure on themselves anyway, I find that makes me perform better.
“But I’ve only had one fight in the UFC, so I’m not getting ahead of myself.
“I’m still a few fights away from asking for a ranked opponent.
“I’ve got to stay vigilant.
“I’m the new kid, I have to earn myself opportunities by giving impressive performances.”
And as for how he now looks back at that 19-second debut?
“Look back and the whole experience – the performance, the week, everything went perfectly,” he says.
“Winning on debut like that, it can’t get better.
“The only bad thing is it’s going to be tough to top.”
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