Khamzat Chimaev shouted out the UFC’s newest fighter ahead of UFC 319.
It’s a crazy week for the UFC as they go to Chicago for the biggest fight of the year between middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.
The last few days have featured two fight cancellations and even crazier, a UFC contract winner from Contender Series on Tuesday night getting the call up to fight in the Octagon this Saturday.
That’s right, Baisangur Susurkaev is set to make his promotional debut against Eric Nolan on just a few days’ notice.
Susurkaev joined his teammate Chimaev on stage at the UFC 319 press conference on Thursday.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCKhamzat Chimaev says Baysangur Susurkaev is better than him
Chimaev didn’t like what Susurkaev’s opponent had to say at the presser.
“I know he’s Khamzat Chimaev’s little butt buddy, but he’s not Khamzat Chimaev,” Nolan said of Susurkaev.
“He’s better than me, bro,” Chimaev responded to Nolan.
That’s a massive compliment from Chimaev, even bigger if the 14-0 middleweight contender can win the UFC middleweight title from Dricus du Plessis in the main event this weekend.
“Don’t worry, he’s gonna knock you out,” Chimaev said of Susurkaev.
The crowd went wild and Susurkaev added on.
“I’ll smash you, boy!” Susurkaev said to Nolan.
Susurkaev is a 24-year-old middleweight with a record of 9-0. His opponent Nolan is 8-3, riding a four-fight win streak, and fighting up a weight class at UFC 319.
Eric Nolan called Baisangur Susurkaev “Khamzat Chimaev’s little butt buddy”
Khamzat’s response: “He’s better than me bro. Don’t worry, he’s gonna knock you out.” 😳 #UFC319pic.twitter.com/RGxy20DV5o
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 14, 2025
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Baisangur Susurkaev saved the season premiere of Contender Series
Susurkaev was an outlier on a mostly dull first episode of Dana White’s Contender Series.
A new season premiered on Tuesday and four of the five fights went to the judges scorecards.
Not Susurkaev’s though. The middleweight prospect earned a contract with a body kick TKO over Murtaza Talha.
Susurkaev took the fight on four days’ notice and just days after, he’s set to fight in the UFC.