FIGHT ANNOUNCED UFC Sydney: Salkilld vs. Saint-Denis headlines, Whittaker vs. Guskov co-main

UFC Sydney now has two bouts built around Australian fighters. Quillan Salkilld gets his first main event at home against Benoit Saint-Denis, and Robert Whittaker fights Bogdan Guskov in the co-main event, in front of a Sydney crowd for the first time in years.

Salkilld, 26, is unbeaten in the UFC. He submitted Mateusz Gamrot in the first round in August in his first headline slot, and his only career loss is his 2021 pro debut. Saint-Denis, 30, comes off a 52-second submission loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 329 in July. All 17 of his wins have come by stoppage, so a quick finish is likely either way.

Salkilld told Fox Sports Australia he wants revenge for Dan Hooker, who lost to Saint-Denis, and doesn't expect the fight to pass the first round. He named Pimblett as the opponent he wants next. Alexander Volkanovski said Salkilld will beat Saint-Denis and a win should put him in the title picture.

Whittaker, 35, is the former middleweight champion. He moved up to light heavyweight in July and knocked out Nikita Krylov in the third round, ending a two-fight losing streak. MMA Fighting ranks him No. 12 at 205 pounds. It is his first fight in Australia since he lost his title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 243 in 2019. Guskov, 34, was stopped in the fifth round by Magomed Ankalaev in July after stepping in on short notice, and he has not won since a draw with Jan Blachowicz.

The prelims carry the Road to UFC season 5 finals, one per division. Takaya Suzuki meets Ji Niushuiye at flyweight, Ryo Tajima faces Rabindra Dhant at bantamweight, and George Mangos meets Dagiisuren Chagnaadorj at featherweight. At women's strawweight, Meng Bo faces BoHyun Park. Each winner gets a UFC contract.

More bouts are expected to be announced for the card.

 

[MMA-TV Newsroom]

Salkilld meets Saint-Denis with a spot near the top five likely at stake. Is that a fair test for Salkilld?