NEW YORK – Baisangur Susurkaev plans on turning in a better performance than his UFC debut – a fight he won by submission in the second round.
From the 24-year-old Russian middleweight’s perspective, the fight was “very bad.” Susurkaev (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made a one-week turnaround to make his promotional debut at UFC 319 after an impressive showing on Dana White’s Contender Series, and was even a late addition to the pre-fight press conference.
Despite the big promotional push, Susurkaev admits that the ultra-quick turnaround and having to make weight twice affected his performance.
“My last fight was very bad,” Susurkaev told MMA Junkie. “Everyone knows it. You can watch before my (other) fights, it was very bad fight. You can see now how good I am, and I’ll show you.”
On DWCS, Susurkaev took out Murtaza Talha with a vicious body kick in the opening round to earn a UFC contract. He then traveled from Las Vegas to Chicago to fight the next week at UFC 319, where he stopped Eric Nolan in the second round with a rear-naked choke.
Even though he won his UFC debut with a finish, Susurkaev is very hard on himself about what happened in the first round. Nolan provided some resistance to Susurkaev’s wrestling game, and even wobbled him on the feet late in the round.
“I will win every fight, but it’s my character about my mental,” Susurkaev said. “I don’t care. I am ready or not ready, I will win. Doesn’t matter.”
Heading into his second UFC appearance, Susurkaev had the luxury of a full fight camp. He faces Eric McConico (10-3-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on the UFC 322 prelims at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+/FX, ESPN+).
“I know he’s a good wrestling defense, not bad,” Susurkaev said about his opponent. “Good cardio, good fighter. I am better.”
Susurkaev is planning on finishing his sophomore appearance by first-round KO, and will turn his attention to what’s ahead in 2026. If he gets his wish, he will get a few more fights under his belt as he aimst to reach title contender status by the end of next year.
“Couple fights, couple wins, and take big money,” Susurkaev said about his plans for 2026. “Maybe after one year, then for title or contender fights.”
Susurkaev wants to leave a lasting legacy in the sport. He’s good friends with fellow countryman and the division’s current champion, Khamzat Chimaev, but has designs on one day capturing UFC gold, and then chasing the record books. He’s driven by earning life-changing money, but in the process, he sees himself placing his name among the greats of the sport when it’s all said and done.
“I want to say like history, legacy, but everyone knows it’s money,” Susurkaev said when asked what drives him to succeed. “Money for helping me, myself, my father, family, for everyone who I love. Of course, money motivates you. Legacy is very good. I want to have a legacy too, but money is money.”
“… I want to take title and do defense more than Jon Jones or Anderson (Silva) – these guys have 14, 15 times, and being the best in the world all-time.”
