Baysangur Susurkaev stole the show — and to a certain extent, saved it — on Week 1 of Dana White's Contender Series. The 24-year-old Russian kept his undefeated recored intact, as he dispatched Murtaza Talha Ali (7-2) in the opening stanza of their middleweight clash. A front kick to the body ended the contest 3:04 into the opening stanza. Susurkaev (9-0) has finished eight of his nine professional triumphs by way of knockout or technical knockout. Ali, meanwhile, falls to 0-2 on the Contender Series.
Susurkaev, who is a training partner of Khamzat Chimaev, showed aggressive tendencies throughout the fight, as he attacked with kicks to the legs, body and head — as well as a flying knee.