Overview

• Susurkaev earned his UFC contract on Aug. 12 by knocking out Murtaza Talha on Dana White’s Contender Series and publicly lobbied for a UFC 319 slot.
• His four-day jump from DWCS to a UFC debut set a new modern speed record, eclipsing teammate Khamzat Chimaev’s benchmark.
• In Chicago, he survived a late first-round wobble before securing a rear-naked choke at 2:01 of round two against Eric Nolan.
• Last-minute undercard cancellations created the opportunity for his high-profile appearance, illustrating the promotion’s booking flexibility.
• His rapid ascent and working-class Chechen background have drawn public interest and prompted questions about athlete preparation and safety.