UFC 321 didn’t quite live up to the hype, as both the main and co-main events fell short of expectations, leaving the 13,220 fans inside the Etihad Arena wanting more. However, the night still delivered excitement, as undefeated lightweight Quillan Salkilld stole the show in the final prelims. Salkilld electrified the crowd with a stunning first-round head-kick knockout of his Afghan opponent, Nasrat Haqparast, sending shockwaves through the arena. The emphatic finish instantly went viral, earning widespread praise from fans and analysts alike.

ESPN’s Brett Okamoto called it one of the “best head-kick knockouts” of the year. Now 3-0 in the promotion, the Australian has beaten fighters from different nations — a streak fans jokingly call the ‘minority’  beater run. Humor aside, his performances have made it clear he’s a serious contender, with a potential Top 15 spot now in the hands of Dana White and the UFC rankings team. To make his night even better, Quillan Salkilld’s highlight-reel finish caught the attention of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who surprised him with an unexpected gift following his UFC 321 victory.

What gift did Quillan Salkilld receive from Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg?

In the lead-up to UFC 321, Australian prospect Quillan Salkilld encountered an unexpected setback when his Instagram account got suspended for unknown reasons, which stopped him from promoting his fight on one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. Following his impressive victory over his Afghan opponent, Salkilld not only earned $50,000 for his performance but also saw Meta restore his Instagram account.

During the post-fight press conference, when asked about the suspension, Quillan Salkilld said, “I did yesterday! And honestly, I don’t know what feels better—this win or getting my Instagram back… Oh, I think Meta just screwed up my account. Yeah, apparently I violated community standards or whatever. We tried contacting them, but no one responded. I just needed a person—not AI—to look at it. And as soon as an actual person checked, they gave it back, ‘cause there was nothing wrong.”

Even though Salkilld remains unsure of the exact reason behind the suspension, possible causes could include unusual account activity, copyright issues, or problems with linked accounts. Nevertheless, with his UFC 321 victory, he has firmly solidified his status as one of the promotion’s top lightweight prospects. Remarkably, the Australian stepped in on just 10 days’ notice and still made the lightweight limit. Now, all eyes are on whether Dana White will grant him the wish he’s been aiming for. So, what is that wish?

What Salkilld wanted from Dana White and the UFC following UFC 321

Quillan Salkilld forged a long path through amateur MMA before stepping into the professional ranks. With 11 amateur fights shaping him into the Australian contender he is today, he emerged as the fighter he is today. His transition to the pro scene, however, was a harsh introduction—he suffered a loss in his very first MMA bout. That defeat, though, would be his last. Since then, Salkilld has been virtually unstoppable, compiling a 10-fight winning streak, often finishing his opponents decisively.

Salkilld’s rise gained major attention at UFC 321, where he stepped onto the fight card on just 10 days’ notice, cutting roughly 30 pounds to make the lightweight division limit. Following the bout, the UFC assured him of a reward for taking the short-notice fight.

Speaking to media at the post-fight press conference, when a reporter asked, “Normally, when a fighter steps up on short notice and saves a fight, the UFC can sometimes reward them with either a fight, a location, or whatever they want,” Quillan Salkilld shared his hopes for his next bout on the promotion’s main card in Australia. He further elaborated, “Ideally, I’d like a main card opener on the next card in Aus. I heard the rumors early next year. I think that would be a wicket for me—to open up the main card at home.”

With momentum on his side, the question now is: what lies ahead for Quillan Salkild in the UFC? Does the rising star have what it takes to carve out a bright future in the billion-dollar promotion? Share your thoughts below.