Preview: UFC 312 Prelims

Lightweights

Quillan Salkilld (7-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Anshul Jubli (7-1, 1-1 UFC)

ODDS: Salkilld (-575), Jubli (+425)

Jubli was a revelation in the first lightweight iteration of the “Road to UFC” tournament. An afterthought heading into the proceedings, India’s “King of Lions” came out of nowhere to overwhelm his opposition with an effective pressure game, pounding out a win over Jeka Saragih to win the entire bracket. However, Jubli’s proper UFC debut a few months later didn’t go particularly well. Jubli did well through about two rounds against Mike Breeden, proving himself to be the more powerful fighter, but he tired out by the third frame. From there, Breeden picked up the pressure and started barking at Jubli, who had no answers before eating enough damage to get knocked out. It was a memorable enough loss that it still hangs over Jubli despite spending the last year and a half out of action, to the point that he’s probably now a bit underrated as a prospect heading into this bout against Salkilld. Australia’s Salkilld put on a solid performance in his decision win on the Contender Series in September, even though it wasn’t a showing that screamed that he was ready for the big time. Salkilld is large for the division and can wrestle for the regional level, but he might struggle to prove himself as an overwhelming force against better competition. This could go either way, but it’s hard to look at Jubli’s last fight and not dock him in the face of things potentially getting tough. The pick is Salkilld via decision.

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