Contender Series Winner Makes Quick Turnaround to Fight at UFC 319

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It wasn’t a banner opening night for Dana White's Contender Series, but the lone finisher on the card will be making his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut in short order.

Baysangur Susurkaev, who scored a first-round body kick KO of Murtaza Talha Ali, will make a quick turnaround to face Eric Nolan at UFC 319 on Saturday. ZacLikesMMA was first to report the middleweight booking on social media. UFC 319 takes place at the United Center in Chicago and is headlined by a middleweight title tilt pitting Dricus Du Plessis against Khamzat Chimaev.

Susurkaev, who is a training partner of Chimaev, will now get to share the card with the Chechen-born middleweight. The 24-year-old Russian has kicked off his professional tenure with nine consecutive triumphs — eight by knockout or technical knockout. Coincidentally, Susurkaev also stepped in to face Ali on short notice at the Contender Series.

Susurkaev Asked for Quick Turnaround

"I'm very happy – I really wanted to impress Dana. I'm happy I was able to do that and get the contract," Susurkaev said at a post-fight media scrum after the Contender Series. "I asked Dana to give me an opportunity to fight on the same card as Khamzat Chimaev … I'm willing and able. If they want to give me a chance, they know how to find me and who to call.”

Nolan, meanwhile, will make his promotional debut on a four-bout winning streak. The 27-year-old New Jersey native will be moving up in weight, as he is coming off a first-round knockout of Blayne Richards to claim 170-pound gold at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 142 on May 24.