Quillan Salkilld out to prove he belongs in upper echelon of lightweight at UFC Perth

Quillan Salkilld can find himself a ranked lightweight after UFC Fight Night 275. Salkilld (11-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on Beneil Dariush (23-7-1 MMA, 17-7-1 UFC) in Saturday's co-main event ( Paramount+ ) at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. The Aussie has impressed in his UFC stint so far and is coming off two quick finishes of Nasrat Haqparast and Jamie Mullarkey.

Beating a veteran like Dariush is the exact test Salkilld thinks he needs to show that he's a serious contender. "I think I belong right up there at the top of the division, in the upper echelon," Salkilld told MMA Junkie. With Dariush's past three losses coming in the first round, Salkilld sees an opportunity.

"I think it's going to be either I spark him out quick, or it will be a three-round war," Salkilld said. "I think there's going to be no in-between. It's going to go one way or the other like that.

" But which scenario does Salkilld think is more valuable to his career? "Just getting the highlight, sparking him out quick," Salkilld responded. "It's better.