UFC 325 promises a high-intensity lightweight matchup when Quillan Salkilld meets Jamie Mullarkey on January 31, 2026 at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
The bout opens the main card and features two Australian fighters with very different career arcs.
Salkilld enters as one of the sport’s most promising rising talents, while Mullarkey brings veteran experience and toughness.
In this preview, we examine both fighters’ strengths, styles, records, and what to expect when these two step into the Octagon.
Fighter Profiles: Who Are Salkilld and Mullarkey?
Quillan Salkilld
Quillan Zane Salkilld is a 26-year-old lightweight standout from Australia, currently riding a ten-fight winning streak and holding a 10-1 professional record.
Known for his long limbs, athleticism, and well-rounded game, he fights out of Luistro Combat Academy. Salkilld stands 6’0″ with a 75-inch reach, giving him a physical edge at 155 pounds.
His UFC tenure includes impressive performances, most notably a knockout victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 321.
Statistically, his offense is potent, reporting strong striking output and accuracy, and he shows comfort in both kicking and wrestling exchanges.
Salkilld has a mix of decisions, submissions, and knockouts on his record, showcasing versatility.
Jamie Mullarkey
Jamie Patrick Mullarkey is a seasoned Australian lightweight with a professional record of 18-8.
At 31 years old, he brings significant fight experience, including multiple UFC appearances dating back several years. Mullarkey also stands 6’0″, though his reach is slightly shorter than Salkilld’s at 74 inches.
Mullarkey’s career is defined by his tough striking style and willingness to trade blows. He has scored 10 knockouts and three submission wins, highlighting his ability to finish fights.
However, his record also reflects vulnerability, particularly in stand-up exchanges, where he has absorbed multiple knockout losses.
Styles and Strengths Compared
Salkilld’s Technical Edge
Salkilld enters UFC 325 as the younger, more athletic fighter with a range of striking tools and effective wrestling. His style combines:
- Range control with kicks: Effective use of teeps and head kicks keeps opponents at a distance.
- Pressure wrestling: Good takedown work disrupts opponents’ striking rhythms.
- Finishing ability: Multiple wins via knockout and submission highlight his threat level anywhere in the cage.
Importantly, Salkilld’s last five fights all ended in victory, including notable finishes that earned acclaim among fans and pundits alike.
His momentum is arguably the strongest of his career heading into UFC 325, and fighting on home soil should only enhance his confidence.
Mullarkey’s Experience and Grit
Mullarkey’s approach is more straightforward: he presses forward, looks for power exchanges, and seeks opportunities to land fight-changing blows. His strengths include:
- Heavy hands: With double-digit knockout wins, he is always a danger in striking exchanges.
- Experience: More than two dozen professional fights give him a high fight IQ in pressure situations.
- Durability: Having been in with a wide range of opponents, he knows how to handle adversity inside the cage.
However, Mullarkey’s pace is less explosive than Salkilld’s, and his defensive skills, especially against crisp kickers and wrestlers, have been exposed in previous losses.
Still, his finishing power means he cannot be counted out, and he is capable of turning a fight with one significant strike.
Breaking Down Key Matchup Factors
Striking Volume and Power
When comparing strike output, Salkilld tends to land at a higher rate and with more accuracy on average.
His ability to mix head kicks with body and leg strikes gives him a toolkit that can keep Mullarkey guessing. Meanwhile, Mullarkey’s strength lies in his power.
If he can navigate the range back to close quarters, his punches and kicks have finished fights in the past.
The challenge for Mullarkey will be mitigating Salkilld’s striking diversity. Salkilld doesn’t rely on one weapon — instead, he methodically separates opponents and capitalizes on openings.
Wrestling and Control
Salkilld’s wrestling is a subtle but impactful component of his skill set. While he may not always secure takedowns, his wrestling attempts disrupt an opponent’s rhythm and open up striking opportunities.
Against Mullarkey, this could be a decisive factor. Mullarkey’s takedown defense is respectable but not elite, and repeated wrestling threats could wear him down over three rounds.
Experience vs Momentum
Experience can be a lifeline in difficult moments, and Mullarkey has that in spades. His career stretches back years, and he has faced a wide stylistic variety of opponents.
However, many of his toughest fights have also resulted in knockout losses, which raises questions about his ability to take Salkilld’s power and combinations.
Salkilld’s momentum, on the other hand, has propelled him into a favorable betting position for this matchup.
His recent run suggests confidence and consistency, two attributes that favor him in a key lightweight matchup.
Prediction: Who Takes It at UFC 325?
On paper, the advantages lean toward Quillan Salkilld. His combination of youth, athleticism, range striking, and wrestling versatility makes him the slight favorite heading into this fight.
Mullarkey’s best path to victory is forcing close exchanges and landing heavy punch combinations, but Salkilld’s ability to control range and disrupt those plans could prove decisive.
Given the statistical edge in striking efficiency and his ability to mix attacks, it’s reasonable to predict that Salkilld will win by stoppage, either via strikes or accumulation of damage over the opening rounds.
Mullarkey’s experience and toughness mean the fight won’t be over until the final bell, but Salkilld’s momentum appears too strong to ignore.
Prediction: Quillan Salkilld wins by knockout or TKO.
Final Thoughts
UFC 325’s lightweight opener offers a compelling matchup between a rising star and a veteran gatekeeper.
Fans should expect intense striking exchanges, strategic range control, and moments where each fighter’s strengths are on full display.
While MMA can always surprise, the trajectory of both fighters suggests Salkilld has the tools and timing to make a statement in front of the Sydney crowd.