Newark — With a possibly broken hand in a splint following his victory at UFC 328, Baisangur Susurkaev was nevertheless upbeat.
The Russian middleweight improved to 12-0 after choking out Brazilian Djorden Santos on Saturday’s preliminary card, having broken his hand in the first couple of minutes in the bout. That’s now three victories, and three stoppages since joining the UFC last fall off a win on the Contender Series.
Susurkaev is now looking for a step up in competition. “A hundred percent. I told Mick Maynard [UFC matchmaker] yesterday, I talked with him, and [said] a couple names. He said ‘we’ll try something.’ I’m 100% sure I need someone top 15, top 20.”
The 25-year old revealed that he’d spoken to Maynard about “Marvin Vettori, Roman Dolidze, and Bo Nickal.” It doesn’t sound like any of those will be forthcoming. “He said Bo Nickal and Vettori have fights soon, and Dolidze [is going] up in weight.”
Perhaps Susurkaev has some time to land a big name. With the hand injury, doctors “said five, six months I should rest.” Though he plans to be back sooner. “I will try to come back fast, I’m a fast recovery. I hope four, five months I can fight again.”
That could line him up for the UFC’s annual trip to Madison Square Garden. “Maybe, why not? I like that.”
With the submission over Santos coming late in the third when Baisangur Susurkaev opted to wrestle, you’d have to wonder if he should have gone that route earlier. Instead, he stated “it was the perfect time. I wanted to show the people I’m UFC level.”
“I hope you all like it. I like it also,” stated Susurkaev, adding “It was a good fight. I like a fight like this.”
Watch the full UFC 328 post-fight press conference with Baisangur Susurkaev above.