Baisangur Susurkaev steps into UFC 322 on Saturday night looking to make a statement in his promotional debut, as the unbeaten Russian prospect meets heavy-handed American Eric McConico in a clash of rising middleweights.
Susurkaev (10-0) burst onto the scene with a first-round knockout of Murtaza Talha on Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this year, then made an immediate impact by submitting Eric Nolan in his short-notice UFC debut just days later. Now the undefeated prospect looks to continue his rapid ascent as he takes on Eric McConico at Madison Square Garden.
McConico (10-3-1) spent years grinding on the regional scene before finally breaking through with his UFC debut against Nursulton Ruziboev in February. Though he came up short, he rebounded in August with a hard-fought split-decision win over Cody Brundage, putting him back on track as he heads into UFC 322.
Round 1 – McConico came out pedal to the metal, firing punches and driving Susurkaev into the fence. The two exchanged knees in close before Susurkaev reversed the position and answered with knees of his own.
McConico tried to create space with punches and knees, but Susurkaev stayed glued to him. When McConico finally broke free, he landed a sharp uppercut and immediately went back to pressuring, even connecting with a heavy leg kick that spun Susurkaev briefly.
McConico clinched up again along the fence, but Susurkaev reversed once more and forced him into wrestling exchanges. McConico repeatedly popped back to his feet after takedowns, but Susurkaev refused to give him any room to reset.
In the final 30 seconds, Susurkaev attempted a spinning elbow but got clipped by a hard shot on the break. He responded by pouring more offense on McConico as the round closed.
Susurkaev appeared relaxed, almost dismissive, throughout the exchanges, a demeanor that surprised many but showcased the young fighter’s confidence.
Round 2 – They met in the middle and began to exchange. McConico landed a clean 1-2 combination and Susurkaev fired back with an overhand right and a nasty body shot then right hand. It looked like the young man finally woke up to fight.
His activity level forced McConico on the back foot and Susurkaev took advantage landing a heavy knee to the body until McConico landed a bad groin shot that forced the ref to call a timeout.
Susurkaev took maybe a minute of time to recover and got back to it. He got back to building momentum taking the offense to McConico forcing him on the back foot. McConico, to his credit, didn’t just allow it as he fired back when Susurkaev left openings, but it wasn’t enough to discourage him.
McConico landed a heavy elbow that stung Susurkaev, but the American wasn’t able to take advantage of it. McConico put the pressure on Susurkaev and landed a heavy left hand, but then clinched him on the fence which is odd since he was having success in the striking.
The round ended with McConico clinching Susurkaev on the fence.
Round 3 – Susurkaev opened the round with heavy combinations and relentless pressure. McConico started to fade, and a hard body shot from Susurkaev drained what remained of his gas tank.
A few moments later, Susurkaev connected with an accidental right hand to the groin, returning the foul he absorbed earlier, and the referee paused the action. McConico recovered quickly and signaled he was ready to continue.
As soon as the fight resumed, Susurkaev timed a perfect right-hand counter that ended McConico’s night on the spot.
A massive victory for Baisangur Susurkaev, who punctuated the moment by calling out Bo Nickal ahead of his bout later in the evening.
Official Result: Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric McConico via R3 KO, 1:38
