Pinas Wants UFC 335 Slot, Says Susurkaev Ducked Him

Damian Pinas is pushing for a spot on the UFC 335 card December 12, and he says Baisangur Susurkaev is avoiding a fight with him.

Pinas has finished four straight opponents inside the Octagon, most recently stopping Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 332. He's been calling out Susurkaev for weeks, both in that post-fight interview and again in his latest comments to MMA Junkie, and he says the response has been silence.

"I moved from Susurkaev because he wasn't accepting the fight," Pinas said. "He didn't want the smoke. So that's why I say, 'Okay, move forward. Let's go to [for someone in the] top-15.' But if he still wants the smoke, let the UFC send the contract. Let's get it booked. Let's fight 12th December. Let's get it."

Why Pinas Wants Susurkaev Specifically

Pinas believes beating Susurkaev would make the loudest statement available to him right now. Susurkaev has built his own reputation on a run of finishes, and Pinas argues that stopping him would prove the Russian is beatable. "[I want to] show the world that he is not unbeatable. People can beat him. I can beat him, easy," Pinas said.

With no deal in place for that matchup, Pinas has put out an open call for any opponent willing to step in against him on the December 12 card.

What This Means for the Betting Markets

A fight between Pinas and Susurkaev would be one of the more intriguing stylistic puzzles the middleweight division could offer right now, pairing Pinas's finishing power against an opponent who has made a habit of grinding out results of his own. Until the UFC actually makes the match, there's no line to point to, but the way Pinas has been ending fights suggests sportsbooks would need to think carefully about how much credit to give him as a live underdog against any ranked opponent he lands across from. If Pinas instead gets a short-notice replacement opponent for UFC 335, expect him to open as a solid favorite given how he's finished every man put in front of him.

Nothing is official yet. Until the UFC books an opponent, Pinas remains a fighter with a date circled and no dance partner confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Damian Pinas want to fight at UFC 335?

Damian Pinas has called out Baisangur Susurkaev and says he wants the UFC to book that fight for the December 12 UFC 335 card, though no agreement has been reached.

What is Damian Pinas's recent form in the UFC?

Damian Pinas has finished four consecutive opponents inside the Octagon, including a knockout of Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 332.

Is the Pinas vs. Susurkaev fight official?

No, as of the latest comments from Damian Pinas, Baisangur Susurkaev has not agreed to the fight and Pinas has issued an open call for any opponent on the UFC 335 card.