Rising Australian lightweight Quillan Salkilld will face veteran Benoit Saint Denis in the main event of UFC Fight Night Sydney at Afterpay Arena on Sunday, Feb. 6, the promotion announced Tuesday.
Salkilld (13-1) has impressed in the UFC, winning all six of his fights and securing four straight first-round finishes. The up-and-coming star called for a matchup with Saint Denis after submitting Mateusz Gamrot in the first round in August.
"I think BSD is good because obviously his fight (with Pimblett) was not too long ago, and he didn't really take any damage from that one, so he's probably back in the gym ready to go," Salkilld said in August, according to MMA Mania's Alexander Behunin. "I'll say that because that seems like a more sure thing that could happen. I'm down."
Salkilld has also scored wins over Jamie Mullarkey and Beniel Dariush this year.
Saint Denis (17-4, 1 NC) presents a stiff test for the 26-year-old. The Frenchman has built a reputation for pressuring opponents, earning finishes in all 17 of his victories. However, the 30-year-old had his four-fight win streak snapped in July, when Paddy Pimblett submitted him in the first round at UFC 329.
Salkilld and Saint Denis rank sixth and seventh in the 155-pound division, respectively. Additional fights for UFC Fight Night Sydney are expected to be announced at a later date.
