{"id":909971,"date":"2026-09-29T16:18:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T16:18:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/909971\/"},"modified":"2026-09-29T16:18:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T16:18:21","slug":"ufc-334-fight-card-takes-major-hit-with-loss-of-undefeated-ufc-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/909971\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC 334 Fight Card Takes Major Hit With Loss of Undefeated UFC Star"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5p\">UFC 334 has reportedly already taken a significant hit not long after the UFC confirmed most of the fights for the highly-anticipated card. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5u\">Scheduled to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-reveals-dates-locations-for-marquee-end-of-year-numbered-events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 14<\/a>, UFC 334 will see the heavyweight division move into a new era <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-s-josh-hokit-rips-tom-aspinall-ahead-of-msg-vacant-heavyweight-title-fight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">when Ciryl Gane takes on Josh Hokit in the night\u2019s main event<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"5z\">Gane was promoted from interim to undisputed champion after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/tom-aspinall-return-timeline-updated-injury-setback-derailed-ufc-334-fight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tom Aspinall\u2019s ongoing injury layoff forced him to vacate the heavyweight belt<\/a>, and the co-main event for UFC 334 will also see Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes finally square off in a massive women\u2019s bantamweight title fight. <\/p>\n<p>UFC 332 Loses Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Donte Johnson<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-4\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"69\">As is usually the case for its annual Madison Square Garden shows, the UFC has tried to stack UFC 334 from top to bottom in an effort to provide a can\u2019t-miss slate of fights for combat sports fans. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m3pyqt89nzneprtswh.jpg\" alt=\"Ciryl Gane during the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. \" title=\"Ciryl Gane during the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. \" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"6l\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ciryl Gane during the weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.  | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6r\">Even the prelim portion of the card features a number of notable names and high-profile matchups, but <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AgFight\/status\/2104954140845633995\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Ag Fight <\/a>reported this week that Baisangur Susurkaev has unfortunately withdrawn from a middleweight bout with Donte Johnson. <\/p>\n<p>Baisangur Susurkaev Has Stopped All of His UFC Opponents <\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-8\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"71\">A training partner of former UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev, Susurkaev joined the UFC as an unbeaten talent off of Dana White\u2019s Contender Series last year. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m3pypns8h4t1t8skbz.jpg\" alt=\"Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center.\" title=\"Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center.\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7d\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7j\">\u201cHunter\u201d famously <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-318-fighter-wins-debut-fight-days-after-earning-ufc-contract-dana-white\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">made his debut just six days after winning a UFC contract<\/a> and made short work of Eric Nolan at UFC 319, and Susurkaev improved to 2-0 in the UFC <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/news\/baisangur-susurkaev-stuns-ufc-322-crowd-vicious-faceplant-ko\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">when he also stopped Eric McConico at Madison Square Garden<\/a> last year. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m3pys1bqta8jjx36vx.jpg\" alt=\"Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center.\" title=\"Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center.\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7v\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Baisangur Susurkaev (red gloves) fights Djorden Santos (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"81\">The 25-year-old extended his finishing streak to five fights at UFC 328 with a late submission of Djorden Santos, but now fans will likely have to wait until next year to see Susurkaev make his next UFC appearance. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Cesar Almeida Steps in to Fight Donte Johnson at UFC 334<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8b\">The UFC 334 matchup with Johnson was an intriguing one given that both he and Susurkaev boast undefeated records, but Ag Fight also confirmed that \u201cLockjaw\u201d will stay on the card and face Cesar Almeida. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m3pyt3ah2tzpw4hz17.jpg\" alt=\"Donte Johnson (red gloves) fights against Eric McConico (blue gloves) in the middleweight bout during UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobi\" title=\"Donte Johnson (red gloves) fights against Eric McConico (blue gloves) in the middleweight bout during UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobi\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8n\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Donte Johnson (red gloves) fights against Eric McConico (blue gloves) in the middleweight bout during UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-16\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8t\">A former kickboxer, Almeida also earned a UFC contract on DWCS in 2023 but currently has an even 3-3 record with the UFC after stopping Dylan Budka in his promotional debut in 2024.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m3pyv72mbzr87re7qm.jpg\" alt=\"Cesar Almeida during weigh-ins for UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena.\" title=\"Cesar Almeida during weigh-ins for UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena.\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"95\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Cesar Almeida during weigh-ins for UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9b\">The Brazilian did secure back-to-back victories over Ihor Potieria and Abdul Razak Hasan, but he dropped a decision to Cezary Oleksiejczuk last December before he was knocked out by Damian Pinas in his most recent outing. <\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m3pyw5c6cn4cer1vmx.jpg\" alt=\"Damian Pinas (red gloves) fights Cesar Almeida (blue gloves) in a middleweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena.\" title=\"Damian Pinas (red gloves) fights Cesar Almeida (blue gloves) in a middleweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena.\" width=\"360\" height=\"203\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"9n\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Damian Pinas (red gloves) fights Cesar Almeida (blue gloves) in a middleweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"9t\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mma_kings?lang=en\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Nolan King<\/a> also revealed today that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/first-fight-booked-ufc-334-card-madison-square-garden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Jefferson Nascimento has withdrawn from his scheduled UFC 334 fight with Nazim Sadykhov<\/a>, and at the moment it\u2019s unclear if they UFC will be able to keep Sadykhov on the card as they were able to do with Johnson. <\/p>\n<p>UFC 334 Fight Card<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-22\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a3\">Main Event: Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit \u2013 For the UFC Heavyweight Championship<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-23\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"a8\">Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes \u2013 For the UFC Women\u2019s Bantamweight Championship<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-24\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ad\">Luis Gurule vs. Bilal Hasan<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-25\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ai\">Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-26\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"an\">Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-27\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"as\">Nazim Sadykhov vs. TBD<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-28\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"ax\">Adrian Yanez vs. Juan diaz<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-29\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b2\">Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-30\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"b7\">Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-31\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bc\">Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-32\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bh\">Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-33\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-secondary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"bm\">Macy Chiasson vs. Bia Mesquita<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" preventdefault:click=\"\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\" on:click=\"q-DE9CKT0F.js#s_lDqay9E5m5g[0]\" 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the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":909972,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[570],"tags":[64,63,786,785,85],"class_list":["post-909971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mma","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-fighting","tag-mma","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/909971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=909971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/909971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/909972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=909971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=909971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=909971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}