Eric Nolan

Eric Nolan vs. Baysangur Susurkaev

Round 1
A lot can change in a week. Meet Susurkaev (9-0, 0-0 UFC), a 24-year-old Chechnya-born middleweight who trains out of Kill Cliff FC. On Tuesday, he blew through Murtaza Talha Ali in just over three minutes on the Contender Series to earn a contract, and now he’s fighting in the promotion proper. In his extremely short-notice debut, the Russian draws CFFC staple Nolan (8-3, 0-0 UFC), and he will serve as an astronomical betting favorite while doing so. Never tell Nolan the odds. The ref for this 185-pound preliminary headliner will be Jason Herzog, who sits back as the men that on Monday were not part of the UFC clap hands.
Susurkaev, who looks measurably larger than the traditional welterweight Nolan, gets right to chasing Nolan down with kicks. “USA” chants encourage Nolan to throw some punches, and when he pops Susurkaev in the chops, Susurkaev shrugs at him and motions him for more. Susurkaev showboats, waving his arms around awkwardly, and Nolan does not bite on any of it and aims an uppercut down the middle. Nolan catches him at the end of a left hand, and he parries a front kick and a high kick. Susurkaev jabs with the ball of his foot, and he takes a few punches and a knee on the nose that is turning red fast. Susurkaev smiles and wades forward to clinch up, kneeing Nolan all the while. Susurkaev tries for an all-muscle body lock takedown, and Nolan stops it and turns him around to place him on the fencing.
Susurkaev breaks off, and Nolan catches him with a big overhand right. Susurkaev snaps out a front kick, and he eats a right hand as Susurkaev’s body language changes from overconfidence to congratulating Nolan for landing hard on him. Susurkaev shoots in deep for a double, scooping up the CFFC athlete and depositing him to his seat. Nolan turns to his knees, and Susurkaev gladly takes his back but cannot keep it as Nolan stands. Susurkaev hits an early mat return, and then hurls Nolan to the floor when Nolan attempts to stand once more. Susurkaev leans heavily on his opponent, lifting him up for a high-amplitude slam that does not get anywhere as Nolan pops back up. When Susurkaev tries to do something else, Nolan breaks free and lets his hands go. Nolan connects with a series of punches and a spinning back fist, and Susurkaev is wearing it and gives back a front kick to the liver. Susurkaev knees his foe in the nose when clinched, and Nolan fights out of a takedown shot and is kicked in the head. Nolan lands bombs on his opponent, rocking Susurkaev badly and forcing him to wobble back to the cage. Nolan spins for a back fist rather than trying to finish the job normally, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nolan
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Nolan
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Nolan

Round 2
The fighters clap hands to get down to it, and they both trade punches early. Susurkaev pushes out his front kick and takes a knee in response, and the two reset in kickboxing range. Susurkaev kicks low, hurting Nolan in the calf. Nolan reaches for his leg, and he loads up on power punches to the body. Susurkaev kicks it a second time, seemingly compromising the limb as Nolan grabs his knee. When Nolan falls to his back, he rolls for a leglock, and Susurkaev laughs all the way through and bowls Nolan over to assume top position. Susurkaev considers an arm-triangle choke, but uses it to step over and take Nolan’s back when Nolan turns over. Susurkaev briefly flattens his man out, and Nolan keeps turning to try to survive.
Herzog asks for him to do more, and Nolan posts off his arms and has no way to defend his neck at that moment. Susurkaev takes advantage of the lapse, looping his forearm beneath the chin and fastening the rear-naked choke. Nolan appears frustrated that he was caught in the submission, and before long, he surrenders lest he get put to sleep.
He may have had to overcome some adversity, but Susurkaev has officially earned two stoppage victories this week as he is now 10-0 as a pro. In his post-fight interview, Susurkaev jokes that he could fight again today, but suggests that he would like to be booked on the Noche UFC event on Sept. 13.

The Official Result
Baysangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan R2 2:01 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)