One of Khamzat Chimaev’s closest teammates shocked Dana White just days before UFC 319.
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev is days away from the biggest fight of his career at UFC 319 against Dricus du Plessis. Ahead of his middleweight title fight, one of Chimaev’s closest friends secured a roster spot alongside his longtime training partner on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Chimaev and Du Plessis headline a stacked card this Saturday at UFC 319. After years of hype, Chimaev will get the opportunity to follow up his dominance with a UFC title victory.
Chimaev received some great news during UFC 319 fight week when his longtime training partner, Baysangur Susurkaev, stunned Dana White at the Apex.
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Baysangur Susurkaev secured a UFC contract with nasty body shot KO on DWCS
Susurkaev and Murtaza Talha clashed in a middleweight bout after two lackluster fights on Episode 1 of Season 9 of DWCS. This was Talha’s second chance on DWCS after a loss to Rodolfo Bellato in 2023 by second-round knockout.
White and the matchmakers were desperately looking for a finish to help kick off the latest installment of DWCS. Susurkaev, who entered the Talha fight on seven days’ notice, overcame the odds to earn one of the most brutal finishes in the show’s history.
After a back-and-forth first two opening minutes of the fight, Susurkaev quickly found his range and landed a nasty body kick that left Talha screaming in agony.
Watch Susurkaev’s impressive finish below.
Susurkaev got the call to fight on DWCS after Talha’s originally scheduled opponent, Damian Pinas, withdrew due to injury. The 24-year-old Susurkaev is now 9-0-0 in his professional career with eight knockout victories.
Susurkaev is the UFC’s latest middleweight signing after successful stints in ACA Young Eagles, Fury FC, and BORROKA. A wrestler by trade, his striking has developed at a dramatic rate as he prepares to compete in the UFC middleweight division.
Khamzat Chimaev’s shocking size advantage on display in first fight week faceoff
Ahead of UFC 319, Chimaev and Du Plessis crossed paths earlier this week in an interaction that went viral on social media. Chimaev looked ‘massive’ to fans compared to the reigning titleholder Du Plessis, which some believe could spell doom for the champ on fight night.
Chimaev’s health has been a significant concern ahead of UFC 319, due to his long hiatuses from competition and past weight cutting issues. But Chimaev passed his first test ahead of UFC 319 as he arrived in Chicago safely and healthy.
Chimaev’s title shot comes after he submitted Robert Whittaker at UFC 308 last year. After a decorated run at welterweight, Chimaev opted to make the full-time move to middleweight following a botched weight cut at UFC 279.
Despite the harsh cut to 170 lbs, Chimaev envisions returning to the welterweight division after UFC 319 to potentially become the UFC’s latest two-division champ.