Quillan Salkilld met the media Saturday after his win over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 321.

Salkilld (10-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) landed what was, unquestionably, one of the most vicious head kicks in UFC history when he drilled Haqparast (18-6 MMA, 10-5 UFC) in the first round to close out the prelims at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Haqparast was unconscious for several minutes on the canvas before he was able to leave the cage after the kick, which saw Salkilld's right shin connect squarely to the left temple. Salkilld's kick was so hard, he was seen in a walking boot after the event – perhaps indicating a possible break.

But in the immediate aftermath of the bonus-winning finish, Salkilld was reveling in his decision to take the fight on what he said was just 10 days' notice to go from his home base in Perth, Western Australia, to Abu Dhabi for the lightweight fight.

"Ten days' notice, come here, a big opportunity, a big name. (I was) very nervous coming in," Salkilld told UFC.com. "But I was looking to do something special, and I got to achieve that. … I want to do great things in this sport, and accepting this fight was part of that journey."

"Something special" may prove to be an understatement by the time the calendar year winds down. Salkilld's knockout, which came at the exact midway point of the opening round, is certain to be talked about as a Knockout of the Year contender.

“I'm on top of the world right now.”

Quillan Salkilld bet on himself and scored one of the most stunning knockouts in recent memory against Nasrat Haqparast. #UFC321

Results, scorecards & more ➡️: https://t.co/wIE5q9Yt7y@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabipic.twitter.com/N5I8STySGi

— UFC News (@UFCNews) October 25, 2025

He'll have some competition in that category, but at 3-0 in 2025 after he won his wan into the UFC through DWCS 14 months ago, he may be on his way to Newcomer of the Year platitudes from his share of pundits.

Salkilld's DWCS contract win was a decision over Gauge Young that belied what was to come in his promotional debut. In February, he took out Anshul Jubli with a 19-second KO at UFC 312 and won a bonus. A decision over Yanal Ashmouz is sandwiched between his two highlight-reel knockouts.

The UFC set up shop in Perth, Salkilld's home city, a month ago. The event had locals in Australia questioning the city's decision to enter into a multi-year deal with the UFC to bring annual events to Perth. But with Salkilld, the UFC may have a new star on its hands – and one on whom they can build future Perth shows around.

For now, though, Salkilld says he'll just keep taking whatever the UFC gives him on his rise up the 155-pound star charts.

"At the moment, it's whatever the UFC has in store," Salkilld said. "Ideally, it's top 15. I understand I've only had three fights (in the UFC) – even though I've speed-run (into) the division a little bit, which is what I was hoping to do. Whoever the UFC gives, that's who I'll take."

Check out Salkilld's post-fight interview in the video above.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Quillan Salkilld wanted 'something special' at UFC 321 on short notice

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