Baysangur Susurkaev stated at a media day that he plans to secure a top-15 opponent following his upcoming fight against Jorden Santos this weekend. The announcement indicates Susurkaev's ambition to climb the middleweight rankings after his next bout. Susurkaev is looking to advance his position in the division with a strong performance. Community reactions included suggestions to match him against Roman Dolidze, though some believe he may be too young for an immediate top-15 jump.
Baysangur Susurkaev declared at a media day event this week that he intends to pursue a top-15 middleweight opponent once he gets through his scheduled fight against Jorden Santos this weekend, signaling clear ambitions to push up the divisional ladder in 2026.
Susurkaev enters the Santos bout riding that momentum and has made no secret of where he wants to go next. The young middleweight prospect is eyeing a significant step up in competition immediately following what he hopes will be a convincing performance, though some observers have questioned whether the timing is right for such an aggressive move up in caliber.
One name that has surfaced prominently in fan and community discussions is Roman Dolidze, the 37-year-old Georgian contender currently ranked twelfth in the middleweight division. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, Dolidze carries a 15-5 record and presents a formidable stylistic test for any rising contender. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, he lands 3.19 significant strikes per minute and supplements his striking with 1.16 takedowns per fifteen minutes, giving him a well-rounded threat profile.
Why it matters
- A win over Santos this weekend would give Susurkaev a credible platform to request a ranked opponent.
- Dolidze at number twelve represents a genuine measuring stick bout, the kind that could fast-track or expose a prospect.
- The middleweight division's competitive depth means a single ranked win can shift the landscape quickly for fighters in the outside-top-fifteen bubble.
Whether the Dolidze matchup gains any official traction will depend heavily on what Susurkaev produces against Santos, and whether the UFC views the pairing as ready to be made.
