The premier promotion has added another big matchup to the stacked UFC 335 event at the end of the year.

On December 12, the premier promotion hosts their final event of 2026 with UFC 335, headlined by a BMF title fight between Charles Oliveira and Diego Lopes.

And now, they have added another big matchup to the card including Damian Pinas, who will be making his fourth appearance in the Octagon this year, following his contract win on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Make some fights for UFC 335. ⬇️

Damian Pinas vs. Baisangur Susurkaev added to UFC 335 card

This Wednesday morning, it was reported by reputable Russian outlet Vestnik MMA that Pinas will take on Khamzat Chimaev‘s undefeated teammate, Baisangur Susurkaev. ‘The Real Hunter’ last fought in May when he choked out Djorden Santos at UFC 328, which turned out to be the last time Chimaev has fought too.

Although the matchup comes as somewhat of a surprise considering the promotion are pitting two top prospects against each other, which is something they don’t usually do, Pinas has been calling for Susurkaev for some time. The heavy-hitting middleweight claimed that the 25-year-old is an ‘easy fight’, vowing to take his undefeated record from him. Initially, ‘The Baba Yaga’ claimed that Susurkaev wasn’t accepting the fight and that he ‘didn’t want the smoke’, saying that he was going to move on from the fight.

Pinas currently stands as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, and he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the middleweight division, having scored four first round knockouts in a row with his incredible striking. Susurkaev, though, is dangerous in other ways, as he will likely present a grappling threat that Pinas has yet to face.

While flawless in his 12 previous fights, the 25-year-old consistently polishes his skills alongside the former middleweight champion, Chimaev, and the two have extensive training history together as Susurkaev has been one of ‘Borz’s’ main training partners throughout his ascent of the middleweight division.

Up to this point, Susurkaev has showcased that he can carry his danger through to the third round, while Pinas is yet to show that his power carries past the first round. And whoever leaves the T-Mobile Arena as the victor will likely put themselves in line for a fight in the top 15 of the 185lb division.