Pinas Books Unbeaten Susurkaev for UFC 335 in Las Vegas

Damian Pinas is not wasting any time. Barely a month after his quick finish at UFC 332, the Aruban middleweight has his next fight booked, against undefeated prospect Baisangur Susurkaev at UFC 335 on December 12 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pinas stopped Andrey Pulyaev by technical knockout on October 3 in Salt Lake City, and the swift turnaround speaks to a fighter keen to keep his momentum rolling. Susurkaev, unbeaten, represents a step up in profile and a genuine test of where Pinas stands in a crowded middleweight division. Matchups like this are how divisions sort themselves out at the end of a year. One man arrives with recent form and confidence; the other arrives with an unblemished record to protect. Neither has much to gain from a cautious night, and the Las Vegas card gives both a big stage to make a statement. For Pinas, a second win in quick succession would turn a good autumn into a breakout run. For Susurkaev, beating a man coming off a stoppage win would announce him as more than just a prospect. December 12 should tell us plenty about both.