UFC 319 star Khamzat Chimaev expects Baysangur Susurkaev is a future middleweight champ.
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev is days away from the biggest fight of his career at UFC 319 against middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis. On Tuesday night, as Chimaev continued his preparations for UFC 319, one of his longtime teammates achieved a lifelong goal in securing a UFC contract.
Middleweight Baysangur Susurkaev earned Dana White’s Contender Series‘s lone knockout of Week 1 on Tuesday night over returning fighter Murtaza Talha. Just minutes into their fight, Susurkaev finished Talha with a body kick that left Talha screaming in agony.
Just days before UFC 319, Chimaev’s longtime training partner added a victory for his team in the leadup to the Du Plessis title fight. As Susurkaev looks ahead to his to-be-announced UFC debut, Chimaev believes the UFC just added another future champ.
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Khamzat Chimaev reacts to Baysangur Susurkaev’s wild KO that left Dana White stunned
During his UFC 319 media day press conference, Chimaev gave his thoughts on the UFC adding his longtime teammate to his division.
“He’s crazy good, he did his whole camp with me, doing sparring and stuff. So I knew he was going to go there and take the contract,” Chimaev said.
“He has a good future, great future if he continues to work hard like he does. You’re going to get a new champion!”
DWCS has produced several champions during the show’s history, including Sean O’Malley and Jamahal Hill. Susurkaev is just 24 years old and hasn’t even come close to the physical prime of his career.
UFC CEO Dana White labeled Susurkaev a ‘killer’ as he praised the promotion’s latest signing. In addition, welterweight Ty Miller earned a UFC contract for his win over Jimmy Drago on the DWCS card.
White revealed on Tuesday night that the UFC matchmakers want to book Susurkaev’s promotional debut as soon as possible. Susurkaev hinted that his debut could come this Saturday at UFC 319.
Baysangur Susurkaev could get days’ notice UFC debut this Saturday
In a post-fight social media post, Susurkaev hinted that a recent conversation with White could clinch his debut for this Saturday in Chicago. Susurkaev will fly out for UFC 319 this week in hopes of potentially securing a fight in a short-notice addition to the card.
It’s uncertain if Susurkaev will face a short-notice opponent, or if he’ll stand by in case anything happens with any of the UFC 319 middleweight bouts. An announcement could be made soon.
Susurkaev accepted the Talha fight on four days notice, an astounding performance as he entered the bout as a modest underdog. Talha had fought on DWCS once before, losing to Rodolfo Bellato by knockout in 2023.