Baisangur Susurkaev: From Contender Series to the UFC in an epic week

Baisangur Susurkaev: From Difficulty to Epic Success in One Week

The story of Baisangur Susurkaev is one of perseverance and triumph. In just one week, this Chechen fighter went from savoring a victory in “Dana White’s Contender Series” to debuting in the UFC with a memorable performance. This is the chronicle of a meteoric rise, full of challenges and rewards. The moment of greatest tension for Susurkaev, after his victory in the “Contender Series”, was when his team prevented him from enjoying a simple steak. The urgency of preparing for a fight at UFC 319, scheduled for four days later, forced his manager to request a lighter dish. Despite the initial sadness, the fighter was finally able to enjoy his meat, albeit with restrictions. The decision by his manager, Jamie Gall, to allow him the steak reflected empathy towards a young man who had just fulfilled his dream of entering the UFC. The news that the UFC had secured him a fight in Chicago arrived after dinner, marking the beginning of an unforgettable week. On Tuesday, August 12th, Susurkaev, with a humble past and training in Florida, was on the verge of a historic event. Four days later, he appeared before a crowd at the United Center, achieving a submission victory in the second round.

“I haven’t been this excited about a fighter in a long time,” declared Dana White, UFC CEO.

Dana White, UFC CEO

Susurkaev’s victory is recorded as one of the most spectacular weeks in UFC history. Below are the key moments that led to this achievement and contextualize its magnitude.

Tuesday, August 5th: A Difficult Start

In the previous two years, Susurkaev nearly quit MMA several times. After moving from Chechnya to the United States in 2023, he faced the loss of sponsors due to the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.

“When the war began, there was less money invested in the fighters,” Susurkaev commented. “It was my best friend who told me I had to try.”

Baisangur Susurkaev

Alongside his older brother, Tamerlan, also a former professional wrestler, he moved to the United States and began training at Kill Cliff MMA. Initially, the financial situation was precarious, even to the point of sleeping in a car or on pool chairs.

Susurkaev’s talent was evident, associating with renowned figures like Kamaru Usman and Robbie Lawler. However, the lack of fights represented an obstacle. Between 2024 and the first half of 2025, he only participated in two fights. Frustration led him to consider retirement on several occasions. Finally, on August 5, the UFC contacted Susurkaev to fill a vacancy in a fight scheduled for August 12. The opportunity came at the right time, as Susurkaev had been training with Khamzat Chimaev, which kept him in optimal physical condition.

Tuesday, August 12th: The Victory in the “Contender Series”

The ninth season of “DWCS” will be remembered for being one of the least successful, with only two contracts awarded. However, the highlight was Susurkaev, who achieved a spectacular knockout with a front kick in the first round. At the end of the event, Dana White announced Susurkaev’s contract, calling him a “killer” and promising to see him in the UFC soon. Susurkaev, anticipating his debut, already had his sights set on the UFC pay-per-view event in Chicago, where he hoped to fight on the same card as Chimaev. His determination led him to refuse to sign a document that restricted his participation in events for seven days, although he eventually agreed.

His relationship with Chimaev, whom he met in Chechnya in 2022, was key to his motivation. Chimaev invited him to his camp in California, strengthening his dream of achieving success in the UFC.

On the same day of his victory, Susurkaev was informed of his UFC debut, where he would face an opponent yet to be defined. It wasn’t until Wednesday morning, during his flight to Chicago, that he learned he would face Eric Nolan.

Wednesday, August 13th: The Encounter with Chimaev

In Chicago, Susurkaev met with Chimaev, becoming the center of attention. The experience of fame was overwhelming, but Chimaev supported him, even inviting him to buy new clothes with his credit card. Susurkaev acquired an $8,000 wardrobe and received a designer watch, which transformed his perception of wealth.

Saturday, August 16th: The Dream Debut

Despite Tuesday’s culinary indulgence, Susurkaev made weight on Friday. On Saturday, his walk to the octagon was a celebration, with his brother Tamerlan by his side. Susurkaev managed to submit Nolan in the second round, obtaining the first submission victory of his career. The post-fight interview with Joe Rogan was broadcast on ESPN and accumulated more than 100,000 views on YouTube. That same night, Chimaev became the UFC champion. The impact of Susurkaev’s victory was enormous in his hometown. The similarities between Chimaev and Susurkaev are evident. Both debuted in the UFC with impactful performances. Susurkaev surpassed Chimaev by achieving it in just four days. In his Instagram profile, Susurkaev describes himself as “DANA’s favorite fighter” and boasts a 10-0 record. His talent and determination opened the doors to a unique opportunity in UFC history.