Chimaev's pupil gets a scare, but turns the fight around in his UFC 319 debut and earns his second victory in just four days

Baysangur Susurkaev defeated Eric Nolan in the UFC 319. Photo: Reproduction/X.

In the last fight of the preliminary card of the UFC 319, held this Saturday (16), Baysangur Susurkaev confirmed the hype that surrounded him, but not before going through a big scare. Training partner of Khamzat Shimaev, the Chechen defeated the American Eric Nolan by submission with a rear naked choke in the second round of the fight valid for the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg).

With this result, Susurkaev maintains his undefeated record in professional MMA, now boasting a 10-fight record, nine of which were stoppages. The victory also marks his official UFC debut, just four days after signing with the organization with a brutal knockout on Dana White's Contender Series.

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The quick sequence between fights makes him the holder of the record for the shortest interval between a Contender victory and his UFC debut.

Eric Nolan, meanwhile, saw his four-fight winning streak snapped. A former CFFC champion, the American put up a tough fight and nearly turned the tables in the first round, but ultimately succumbed to the Chechen's grappling pressure. His career has seen him record eight wins and four losses.

Chimaev's pupil turns around after a scare and debuts with a victory at UFC 319; it's his second triumph in 4 days

Despite the victory, the 24-year-old Russian had a tougher start than expected. Provocative and confident from the opening seconds, Susurkaev controlled the distance and landed solid strikes on the feet, but was surprised in the final moments of the first round when he was hit by a powerful right cross from Nolan. Stunned, he had to retreat and hold out until the bell to avoid further damage.

In the second round, however, the scenario changed. Demonstrating composure and strategy, the Chechen targeted his opponent's knee with low kicks, compromising the American's movement. With Nolan visibly injured, Susurkaev closed the distance and took the fight to the ground. There, he demonstrated absolute dominance and finished with a rear-naked choke two minutes into the round.

UFC 319 results

MAIN CARD (23pm Brasília time)

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Khamzat Shimaev derrotou Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision of the judges (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) – fight for the belt

Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Lerone murphy defeated Aaron Pico by knockout (spinning elbow) at 3:21 of the first round

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Carlos Prates derrotou Geoff neal by knockout (spinning elbow) at 4:59 of the first round

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Michael Page derrotou Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Tim Elliott derrotou Kai Asakura by submission (guillotine) at 4:39 of R2

PRELIMINARY CARD (19pm Brasília time)

Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Baysangur Susurkaev defeated Eric Nolan by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:01 of R2

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Michal Oleksiejczuk derrotou Gerald meerschaert by technical knockout at 3m03sec of R1

Straw weight (up to 52,1 kg): Lupita Godinez derrotou Jessica Stacker by unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Alexander Hernandez derrotou Chase Hooper by technical knockout at 4:58. from R1

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Drakkar Klose derrotou Edson Barboza in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Karina Silva derrotou Dione Barbosa in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joseph Morales submits Alibi Idiris with a triangle choke at 3:04 of R2 – TUF 33 final