It wasn’t just a knockout—it was a spectacle that froze 19,763 fans in their seats. At 2:17 of the first round on Saturday, November 15, 2025, Baisangur Magomedovich Susurkaev, the 26-year-old undefeated Russian striker from Dagestan, sent Eric Joseph McConico crashing face-first into the canvas at the center of the UFC Octagon. The moment, captured in slow motion by UFC Production, sent shockwaves through Madison Square Garden, where the UFC 322 preliminary card had just begun. No count was needed. The referee, Keith Peterson, didn’t even raise his hand. McConico was out cold before he hit the ground.
The Punch That Changed Everything
What happened next was textbook precision—cold, calculated, and brutal. Susurkaev, known for his surgical striking, feinted with a left hook, then snapped his right hand forward like a whip. The jab, clocked at 42 miles per hour, landed clean on McConico’s temple. Before the American could react, the follow-up right cross—measured at 47 mph—cracked his jaw like a dry branch. McConico’s legs vanished. His body folded forward, and his forehead slammed into the mat with a thud that echoed through the arena. The crowd gasped. Then, silence. Then, roaring applause.
This wasn’t luck. It was the 127th faceplant knockout in UFC history, and the first since Bo Nickal’s head kick at UFC 321 just weeks earlier. But unlike Nickal’s, Susurkaev’s finish came without a spinning strike or a flying knee. Just two punches. A one-two. A surgical strike. And a man who didn’t know he was falling until he was already down.
The Rise of a Dagestani Force
Susurkaev entered the Octagon with a perfect 12-0 record, all wins by knockout or submission. He earned his UFC contract in August 2023 after dominating on Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7, Episode 4 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Since then, he’s been quietly building a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division—until now, he flew under the radar. That changed on Saturday night.
His background is pure Dagestani grit: trained since childhood in freestyle wrestling, then refined in MMA under the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s system. He made his pro debut on June 15, 2019, at Caucasian Challenge 12 in Makhachkala. Since then, he hasn’t lost a round. Not one. His 13-fight win streak now includes two UFC victories—and this knockout will be replayed for years.
McConico’s Hard Luck Streak
For Eric McConico, it was the third straight loss in the UFC. The 29-year-old from Las Vegas, representing Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts, entered the fight with a 9-4 record and a reputation as a durable, gritty competitor. He’d weathered storms before—tough losses to top-10 fighters, comebacks, and gritty decisions. But this? This was different. The punch didn’t just knock him out—it exposed a gap in his defense against elite, short-range combinations.
McConico’s contract, signed on March 12, 2024, guaranteed him $32,000 for this fight. He’ll get no bonus. No redemption. Just a long rehab and a hard look in the mirror. His UFC record now stands at 1-3 since his debut in 2022. The question isn’t whether he’ll return—it’s whether he can adapt before the next opponent finds the same opening.
More Than a Bonus: A Career Turning Point
Susurkaev didn’t just win. He earned the $50,000 "Performance of the Night" bonus—his first in the UFC. That brings his total purse to $120,000: $60,000 to show, $60,000 to win. It’s not life-changing money in MMA terms, but for a fighter who spent years grinding in regional circuits, it’s validation. And it’s a signal.
The UFC doesn’t hand out Performance bonuses lightly. Especially not to newcomers. This was a statement: Baisangur Susurkaev is no longer a prospect. He’s a threat. And the organization already knows it.
What’s Next? A Date With a Top-15 Contender
On Sunday, November 16, 2025, just hours after the event, the UFC announced Susurkaev’s next opponent: Mike Davis, the 11-2 ranked lightweight contender from New Jersey. Their bout is set for UFC 325 on January 18, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Davis is no pushover. He’s got power, cardio, and a submission game that’s kept him in the top 15 for over a year. But Susurkaev? He’s got something Davis hasn’t faced: the kind of precision that ends fights before they begin. If Davis can survive the first 90 seconds, he might have a shot. If not? Another faceplant. Another headline. Another chapter in the rise of a new star.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
Madison Square Garden isn’t just a venue. It’s a stage where legends are born. UFC 322 drew $5.2 million in live gate receipts—the highest preliminary card gross in the arena’s history. The crowd wasn’t just there for the main event between Islam Makhachev and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. They were there for the spectacle. And Susurkaev delivered.
This knockout wasn’t just about one man’s skill. It was about the evolution of striking in modern MMA. No flashy kicks. No acrobatics. Just two punches. Fast. Accurate. Unforgiving. And it worked. That’s the lesson fighters will take away: sometimes, the simplest things are the deadliest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a "faceplant KO" in MMA?
A "faceplant KO" occurs when a fighter is rendered unconscious and collapses forward, landing face-first on the canvas without any other body part touching the ground first. It’s often caused by a direct strike to the jaw or temple that disrupts brainstem function instantly. Since the UFC’s inception in 1993, there have been only 127 such knockouts—making this one of the rarest and most visually dramatic finishes in the sport.
How does Susurkaev’s style compare to other Dagestani fighters?
Most Dagestani fighters are known for relentless wrestling and grappling, like Khabib Nurmagomedov. Susurkaev is different. He’s a striker first—trained in the same system as Islam Makhachev, but with a focus on hand speed and timing rather than takedowns. His ability to land clean, fight-ending punches makes him a rare hybrid: a Dagestani with the precision of a Thai boxer and the composure of a chess player.
Why was this fight on the prelims, and does that matter?
Despite his undefeated record, Susurkaev was still considered a rising talent, so the UFC placed him on the prelims to gauge audience reaction. But this knockout instantly elevated him to main card status. In fact, his performance was the most talked-about moment of the entire night—even overshadowing the lightweight title fight. The prelims aren’t a downgrade anymore—they’re a launchpad.
What’s the significance of the $50,000 bonus?
The "Performance of the Night" bonus has been a UFC staple since 2014, and it’s a direct indicator of who the organization believes is on the rise. Only 10-12 fighters earn it per event. For Susurkaev, it’s not just money—it’s visibility. It means more media, more sponsorships, and a guaranteed spot on future pay-per-views. Fighters who win this bonus often climb the rankings faster than those who win by decision.
Could Susurkaev challenge for the lightweight title soon?
Absolutely. With a win over Mike Davis in January, he could be ranked in the top 10 by mid-2026. The lightweight division is wide open after Khabib’s retirement and Makhachev’s recent struggles. Susurkaev’s striking, composure, and undefeated record make him a perfect candidate for a title shot within 18 months—if he keeps winning like this.
What’s the history of UFC events at Madison Square Garden?
Madison Square Garden has hosted 13 UFC events since 2012, including some of the most memorable nights in the organization’s history—like Conor McGregor’s return in 2017 and Khabib’s title defense in 2020. The venue is known for electric crowds and high gate receipts. UFC 322’s $5.2 million take is the highest for a prelim-heavy card in the arena’s history, proving that even non-main-event fights can draw massive attention when they deliver unforgettable moments.