NEW YORK — UFC 334 has taken a late change at middleweight, with undefeated prospect Baisangur Susurkaev out and veteran striker Cesar Almeida stepping in to face Donte Johnson on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Mike Heck confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Almeida (7-3) has agreed to replace Susurkaev against Johnson (9-0), with bout contracts still to be officially signed. Ag. Fight was first to report the news.
Susurkaev and Johnson were originally booked in a battle of unbeaten prospects. The 25-year-old Susurkaev is 12-0 and earned his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2025, winning by knockout or submission in his first three outings for the promotion. The reason for his withdrawal from UFC 334 was not disclosed. Johnson was also signed off DWCS in 2025 and has scored consecutive UFC wins over Eric McConico, Cody Brundage and Sedriques Dumas.
Johnson now draws Almeida, an experienced kickboxer with mixed results in the UFC. After a spectacular first-round knockout over Abdul Razak Alhassan in his UFC debut, Almeida has dropped back-to-back fights, most recently losing by KO to Damian Pinas at UFC 329.