Susurkaev immediately put his UFC contract to work, booking a spot on the UFC 319: Chimaev vs. Dricus Du Plessis undercard in Chicago just four days later. Susurkaev rode the hype wave all the way to his first win, a second-round rear naked choke submission of fellow debutante Eric Nolan.

The 2025 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series rolls on tonight as 10 fighters meet at the UFC Apex to try and punch their ticket to the UFC on Week 2.

At the conclusion of the event, UFC CEO Dana White awarded contracts to all five winners. As a fun note, White said Cam Rowston would be fighting on the UFC Perth event, which takes place on Sept. 27, making for the 17th fight on the card.