Quillan Salkilld reveals he may have suffered knee injury in win over Mateusz Gamrot: ‘I heard a little pop’

Quillan Salkilld delivered a dominant performance to submit Mateusz Gamrot in the UFC Vegas 120 main event, but the Australian lightweight may have paid a physical price for his biggest win to date. During an early wrestling exchange, Gamrot grabbed Salkilld's ankle and forced it to an extreme angle. Rather than tap or adjust defensively, Salkilld fought through the position and heard what he described as "a little pop" in his knee. He felt the injury again while executing the rear-naked choke that ultimately finished Gamrot in the first round.

Salkilld explained that his stubbornness in the wrestling exchange—a mindset he usually avoids in training to protect his knees—led him to turn into the awkward position and aggravate the joint. Despite the discomfort, he secured a takedown and locked in the submission that ended the fight. The victory positions Salkilld to enter the UFC's top-10 lightweight rankings, a significant step forward in his career trajectory.

While optimistic about the severity of the injury, Salkilld acknowledged that medical evaluation is his immediate priority before planning his next move. He expressed confidence in his recovery, comparing himself to Wolverine's healing factor, and stated his intention to compete again before year's end. His ideal destination would be a November card at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he could face one of the division's elite fighters. Salkilld used the post-fight platform to declare his arrival at the top of the lightweight division, asserting that he has proven himself as a legitimate title contender.