Overview

• Susurkaev secured a UFC contract by scoring a first-round body-kick TKO on Dana White’s Contender Series on August 12.
• He asked to be on the same card as his longtime training partner Khamzat Chimaev and was matched with Eric Nolan for his debut.
• His four-day leap from DWCS knockout to UFC fight marked the fastest feeder-series turnaround in UFC history.
• Undercard cancellations including King Green vs. Diego Ferreira created a vacancy that matchmakers used to fast-track his booking.
• He drew extra attention at the UFC 319 press conference by wearing a reported $180,000 Patek Philippe watch.