“You saved my Tuesday.”
That’s what Dana White told Baysangur Susurkaev after a devastating body kick knockout Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Susurkaev (9-0) teeped Murtaza Talha (7-2) in the midsection for the TKO stoppage at 3:04 of Round 1. The middleweight bout took place at Dana White’s Contender Series 77, the show’s season premiere.
Susurkaev, 24, is a training partner of Khamzat Chimaev but he also trains at Kill Cliff FC with the likes of training partner Gregory Rodrigues and others. He stepped in on days’ notice for this fight and capitalized on it violently.
The finish couldn’t come at a time where the UFC brass thirsted that violence more. The previous two fights to kick off the season were lackluster decisions. Susurkaev will likely earn a UFC contract as a result of his performance.
Up-to-the-minute DWCS 77 results include:
- Baysangur Susurkaev def. Murtaza Talha via TKO (body kick) – Round 1, 3:04
- Radley da Silva def. George Mangos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Yuri Panferov def. Christopher Ewert via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
