Baysangur Susurkaev announced at the media day that he plans to secure an opponent from the top 15 rankings following his upcoming bout with Jorden Santos this weekend. The Russian middleweight fighter made the statement during pre-fight media obligations. While specific details about the event or his current ranking were not disclosed in the post, Susurkaev expressed clear ambitions to climb the divisional ladder. The post generated discussion among fans about potential matchups, with some suggesting a bout against Roman Dolidze, though others questioned whether Susurkaev is ready for that level of competition.
Baysangur Susurkaev used a pre-fight media day appearance to announce his ambitions beyond this weekend, stating he intends to pursue a top-15 ranked middleweight opponent once he gets past Jorden Santos.
Susurkaev, a Russian middleweight, laid out his divisional ambitions publicly ahead of the Santos bout, signaling that he views the fight as a stepping stone toward cracking the upper tier of the 185-pound rankings. Specific details about his current ranking were not disclosed during the media session.
The comments have already sparked conversation among fans, with some pointing to Roman Dolidze as a potential future matchup. The Georgian veteran holds the number-12 spot in the middleweight division and carries a professional record of 15 wins and 5 losses. At 37 years old and training out of Xtreme Couture, Dolidze is a six-foot-two orthodox fighter with a 76-inch reach. He lands 3.19 significant strikes per minute and averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat at this level. Not everyone in the fan community, however, is convinced Susurkaev is ready to step up to that caliber of competition.
Why it matters
- A strong finish against Santos could give Susurkaev legitimate grounds to call for a ranked opponent
- Dolidze, sitting at number 12, represents the kind of established name that could validate Susurkaev's standing in the division
- The middleweight rankings remain competitive, and any movement in the top 15 carries real weight in terms of title positioning
