UFC 319’s Baisangur Susurkaev: I’ will be UFC champ in 2 years
UFC 319 winner Baisangur Susurkaev spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his second-round submission of Eric Nolan on Saturday in Chicago
CHICAGO – Baisangur Susurkaev met with MMA Junkie and other media members Saturday after his win over Tom Nolan at UFC 319.
Susurkaev (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) got put through some first-round adversity to close out the preliminary card at United Center in Chicago, but ultimately made good on his massive pre-fight betting odds as a more than 10-1 favorite in the middleweight bout against Nolan (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) when he tapped him with a second-round rear-naked choke.
Susurkaev was making his UFC debut, but it came only four days after he won a fight – and the adoration of UFC CEO Dana White – on DWCS to earn a contract. He said he wanted to be on UFC 319 as an undercard fight for his countryman Khamzat Chimaev, and White obliged.
Then Susurkaev obliged with his second win in four days. And that DWCS bout? That one came on four days’ notice, as well, as a fill-in.
Now that Susurkaev has made a big name for himself early, he doesn’t want to slow down too much. He’s eyeing one more fight this year – and maybe a second.
“I’m hoping for New York (in November). I really would like to fight in September, but I do feel like I have an injury in my foot, so I don’t know if I’ll be ready in time,” Susurkaev said.
But he knows the trajectory he wants to take. And even though Chimaev won the middleweight title a few fights after Susurkaev won his bout, he plans on having that belt one day, too.
Chimaev has had high praise for Susurkaev, as well – and even said the 24-year-old fighter is better than him.
“I don’t think he really means it when he says it,” Susurkaev said. “Of course I’m not better than him. He’s the best.
“In two more years, I’m going to be champion. I don’t need it fast. One month, two months to get ready for the next fight, and I’m ready. I’m going to be champion.”
Check out Susurkaev’s full post-fight interview in the video above.
