The UFC is matching up two of the division’s best prospects in a grudge match that has been building throughout the year.
Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Demian Pinas is set to face Baisangur Susurkayev at UFC 335, which takes place Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Vestnik MMA was first to report the booking.
Both fighters have talked a lot about the other since entering the UFC, and the matchmakers have decided not to wait any longer.
Pinas
has delivered the goods since earning a contract on the Contender Series in September 2025. “The Baba Yaga” has demolished all three of his octagon opponents in the first round — doing so in a little over eight minutes of total time spent in the cage. In his most recent outing, Pinas knocked out Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 332 in October.
Susurkayev is also 3-0 coming off of Contender Series with three finishes, but he’s had to work a bit more for his victories. The 25-year-old recently tapped Djorden Santos in the third round at UFC 328 in May. “The Real Hunter” had a historical start to his UFC run getting a finish just four days after his DWCS contract-earning win at UFC 319 in August 2025.
UFC 335 is headlined by a BMF title fight between Charles Oliveira and Diego Lopes.
