Baisangur Susurkayev stated at media day that he plans to pursue a top-15 ranked opponent following his bout with Jorden Santos this weekend at UFC 328. The Russian middleweight expressed confidence in earning a higher-ranked matchup with a strong performance. While some fans suggested a potential matchup with Roman Dolidze, others questioned whether Susurkayev is ready for that level of competition given his current standing. His fight with Santos represents an opportunity to prove he belongs among the division's elite contenders.
At a media day ahead of UFC 328, Baisangur Susurkayev made clear he has his sights set on a top-15 middleweight opponent after he handles Jorden Santos this Saturday.
The Russian middleweight spoke with confidence about earning a higher-profile matchup, saying a strong showing against Santos would put him in position to demand a ranked contender next. Fans have floated the name of Roman Dolidze as a potential future opponent, though some have questioned whether Susurkayev is ready for that step up given where he currently sits in the division standings.
Dolidze, the Georgian middleweight ranked twelfth in the division, would represent a significant challenge. The 37-year-old trains out of Xtreme Couture and carries a professional record of 15 wins and 5 losses. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, Dolidze is a physical presence at 185 pounds. He lands 3.19 significant strikes per minute at 41 percent accuracy and adds 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on both feet and on the mat.
Why it matters
- A dominant performance by Susurkayev against Santos could legitimately open the door to a ranked opponent in the crowded middleweight division.
- Dolidze, sitting at number 12, is an attainable but credible target for an unranked fighter looking to crack the top 15.
- The style matchup between a physically imposing Georgian striker-wrestler and an ascending Russian contender would carry genuine divisional weight.
Susurkayev's fight with Santos on May 9th is essentially an audition. The outcome will determine whether his post-fight call-outs carry any real traction inside the matchmaker's office.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
