Aug 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES; Baisangur Susurkaev during weigh ins for UFC 319 at Radius Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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UFC 319 Preliminary Result: Baisangur Susurkaev Survives Scare, Secures Submission Victory; Chimes In On Teammate Khamzat Chimaev

Aug 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES; Baisangur Susurkaev during weigh ins for UFC 319 at Radius Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The UFC has always been a promotion that thrives on last minute opportunities and fighters who can seize the moment when it matters most. What makes these stories even more compelling is when fighters have connections to established stars, creating a web of relationships that adds depth to every victory and loss.

The beauty of the Contender Series format lies in its ability to fast track talent directly into the UFC roster. Since its inception, the show has become a launching pad for fighters who might otherwise spend years grinding through regional circuits. Baisangur Susurkaev is the prime example of that.

Baisangur Susurkaev Gets The Win After Adversity

Susurkaev proved that momentum is everything in this sport when he stepped into the cage at UFC 319. The Chechen fighter had just earned his UFC contract four days earlier on the Contender Series. But he wasted no time making his mark on the biggest stage. His opponent Eric Nolan came to fight. The opening round showed exactly why both men deserved their spot in the octagon.

The first round was a back-and-forth affair that had Susurkaev walking a tightrope between success and disaster. Nolan, fighting at a weight disadvantage, showed the heart of a warrior by repeatedly getting back to his feet after takedowns. The natural welterweight wasn’t intimidated by his opponent’s size advantage and proved it by landing some serious shots late in the round. Those punches had Susurkaev wobbling back to his corner.

Welcome to the UFC, Baisangur Susurkaev 😮‍💨

He gets the submission victory in round two! #UFC319 pic.twitter.com/6Z9ueCnWvf
— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2025

Round two told a different story entirely. Susurkaev came out with renewed focus and began targeting Nolan’s legs with vicious kicks that immediately changed the dynamic of the fight. Once Nolan’s mobility was compromised, the takedown became inevitable. What happened next was a masterclass in ground control, as Susurkaev quickly advanced to back control and began raining down punches. The rear naked choke that followed was textbook execution, leaving Nolan with no choice but to tap at 2:01 of the second round.

Baisangur Susurkaev Has Nothing But Humble Words About His Famous Teammate

The post fight press conference revealed something special about Susurkaev’s character. While many fighters use these moments to build their own brand, he immediately shifted focus to his teammate Khamzat Chimaev, who is set to challenge for the middleweight title later tonight. Chimaev had touted him as being “better than him.” Susurkaev however, shut that down.

“Of course I am not better than him. He is the best and he is gonna prove it today. And God willing, he will be the new champion later.”

"Of course I'm not better than him. He is the best."

Baisangur Susurkaev reacts to Khamzat Chimaev touting him as the superior fighter prior to his #UFC319 debut win. pic.twitter.com/wn2MQc7bob
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 17, 2025

Those words carried extra weight considering they came from someone who had just submitted another professional fighter in front of millions of viewers. The loyalty between teammates at this level speaks volumes about the culture being built within their training camp. It also shows the kind of confidence and camaraderie between them. This often leads to sustained success at the highest levels of the sport.

(Image Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski – Imagn Images)

Baisangur Susurkaev

Eric Nolan

UFC 319

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!