UFC 321 wasn’t a particularly star-making night for most of the big names involved, but at least one fighter on the “Prelims” really shined.
Quillan Salkilld entered UFC 321 as a 25-year-old Lightweight
prospect, one of many Contenders Series products still trying to make their mark. He accepted his bout versus Nasrat Haqparast — a veteran riding an excellent win streak — on short-notice, and the Australian more than lived up to the occasion. He used a blend of long range kicks and frequent takedown attempts to keep Haqparast from boxing effectively, then Salkilled unleashed a picture-perfect head kick just halfway through the opening round that instantly put his opponent to sleep (watch it).
Suddenly, Salkilld has separated himself from the pack.
Though he just picked up the biggest win of his young career while hardly taking a shot, Salkilld isn’t walking away from the victory clean. In fact, images circulated online shortly after his win of Salkilld wearing a boot on his head-kicking right foot, and he’s since confirmed it was injured in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani.
“Yeah, I think I broke it,” Salkilld said about his foot. “It’s busted up right now. I’m limping, I’m in a boot. I’ve never hit anybody that hard ever before … We were looking to kick at all levels. I opened up the fight throwing teeps to the body and leg, round kicks to the body. The first one I threw up high caught him off-guard — he guarded for a body kick.
I threw with everything I could and ended up breaking my foot on his head.”
Fortunately, Salkilld doesn’t expect to go under the knife for his foot. Since the victory, Salkilld has publicly called out Renato Moicano, a top-ranked fighter whom Haqparast was chasing before the knockout loss. Perhaps that bout comes together in the first quarter of 2026? If not, there are plenty of other good options for Salkilld, who could move from prospect to contender with one more victory.
