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Volkan Oezdemir | |
---|---|
Born | Fribourg, Switzerland | 19 September 1989
Other names | No Time |
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
Division | Light heavyweight (2010–2014, 2017–present) Heavyweight (2012, 2014–2016) |
Reach | 75 in (191 cm) |
Style | Kickboxing |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | Fribourg, Switzerland |
Team | Golden Glory (formerly)[1] Fight Move Academy (until 2022)[2] Blackzilians (2015–2015)[3][4] Combat Club (2017–2018)[4] Kill Cliff FC (2017–present)[5][6][7] Allstars Training Center (2022–present)[8] |
Years active | 2010–present (MMA) 2014 (Kickboxing) |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 5 |
Wins | 5 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 28 |
Wins | 20 |
By knockout | 13 |
By submission | 2 |
By decision | 5 |
Losses | 8 |
By knockout | 2 |
By submission | 2 |
By decision | 4 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Volkan Oezdemir (born 19 September 1989) is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer.[9] He currently competes in the Light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2010, Oezdemir formerly competed for Bellator. As a kickboxer, he competed for Superkombat Fighting Championship in their heavyweight division. As of 26 November 2024, he is #9 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[10]
Oezdemir was born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. His father from Turkey is ethnically Kurdish[11][12][13][14] and his mother is Swiss. He befriended Alistair Overeem on a visit to the Netherlands while training at the Golden Glory gym. Oezdemir later competed in amateur and professional kickboxing, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, before transitioning to mixed martial arts.[15]
Oezdemir made his professional MMA debut in 2010, and compiled a record of 9–0 before being signed by Bellator.[citation needed]
Oezdemir made his promotional debut at Bellator 105 on 25 October 2013, against Josh Lanier. He won the fight via first-round TKO.[16]
Oezdemir then dropped down to the Light Heavyweight division to face Kelly Anundson at Bellator 115 on 4 April 2014.[17] He lost the fight via a neck crank submission in the second round.[18]
With little to no fights to be offered by the promotion, they amicably voided the contract and Oezdemir became a free agent.[1]
Oezdemir was signed by the UFC in 2017, and made his promotional debut as a short notice injury replacement against Ovince St. Preux on 4 February 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104.[19] Oezdemir defeated St. Preux by split decision in the third fight of the main card.[20]
In his second fight for the promotion, Oezdemir faced Misha Cirkunov on 28 May 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109.[21] He won the fight via knockout just 28 seconds into the first round.[22]
Oezdemir next faced third ranked Jimi Manuwa on 29 July 2017, at UFC 214.[23] He won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute and subsequently won a Performance of the Night bonus.[24][25]
Oezdemir faced Daniel Cormier on 20 January 2018, at UFC 220 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.[26] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[27]
Oezdemir was expected to face Maurício Rua on 12 May 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129.[28] However it was reported on 13 April 2018, that Oezdemir was pulled from the event due to alleged visa issues restricting his travel to Chile.[29] The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for 22 July 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134.[30] On 2 July 2018 it was reported that the Oezdemir would face Alexander Gustafsson instead on 4 August 2018, at UFC 227.[31] However, on 19 July 2018, it was reported that Oezdemir was removed from the bout due to a broken nose.[32]
Oezdemir faced Anthony Smith on 27 October 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138.[33] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[34]
Oezdemir faced Dominick Reyes on 16 March 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147.[35] He lost the fight via controversial split decision.[36]
Oezdemir was expected to face Ilir Latifi on 1 June 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.[37] On 30 May 2019, it was reported that Latifi was forced to pull out of the event due to back injury and the bout was cancelled.[38] The pair was rebooked at UFC on ESPN 5 on 3 August 2019.[39] In turn, due to Oezdemir's visa issues entering the United States, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 156.[40] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[41] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[42]
Oezdemir faced Aleksandar Rakić on 21 December 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165.[43] He won the fight via split decision.[44]
In April 2020, Oezdemir revealed that he had renewed his contract with the UFC.[45]
Oezdemir faced promotional newcomer Jiří Procházka on 12 July 2020, at UFC 251.[46] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[47]
Oezdemir was expected to face Nikita Krylov on 18 October 2020, at UFC Fight Night 180.[48] However, Oezdemir pulled out of the fight in early October citing a knee injury.[49]
Oezdemir was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev on 4 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191.[50] However, the fight was rescheduled for UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi on October 30.[51] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[52]
Oezdemir faced Paul Craig on 23 July 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208.[53] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[54]
The bout with Nikita Krylov was then re-booked to take place on 22 October 2022, at UFC 280.[55] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[56]
Oezdemir was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov at UFC Fight Night 226 on 2 September 2023.[57] However, Murzakanov pulled out in early August due to unknown reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Bogdan Guskov.[58] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[59]
Oezdemir faced Johnny Walker on 22 June 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[60] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.[61] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[62]
Oezdemir faced Carlos Ulberg on November 23, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248.[63] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[64]
Oezdemir also holds a record of 5–0 in professional kickboxing. He made his debut in Romania-based SUPERKOMBAT, the largest kickboxing promotion in Europe, in 2014.[65]
On 19 November 2017, Oezdemir was arrested for aggravated battery. His bail was reportedly set at $10,000.[4] On 9 July 2018, he informed that the charges pressed against him were dropped.[66]
28 matches | 20 wins | 8 losses |
By knockout | 13 | 2 |
By submission | 2 | 2 |
By decision | 5 | 4 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 20–8 | Carlos Ulberg | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo | November 23, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Macau, SAR, China | |
Win | 20–7 | Johnny Walker | KO (punch) | UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov | June 22, 2024 | 1 | 2:28 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 19–7 | Bogdan Guskov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac | September 2, 2023 | 1 | 3:46 | Paris, France | |
Loss | 18–7 | Nikita Krylov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 280 | October 22, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Win | 18–6 | Paul Craig | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall | July 23, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
Loss | 17–6 | Magomed Ankalaev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 267 | October 30, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Loss | 17–5 | Jiří Procházka | KO (punch) | UFC 251 | July 12, 2020 | 2 | 0:49 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
Win | 17–4 | Aleksandar Rakić | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie | December 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Busan, South Korea | |
Win | 16–4 | Ilir Latifi | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 | August 10, 2019 | 2 | 4:31 | Montevideo, Uruguay | Performance of the Night. |
Loss | 15–4 | Dominick Reyes | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal | March 16, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
Loss | 15–3 | Anthony Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith | October 27, 2018 | 3 | 4:26 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | |
Loss | 15–2 | Daniel Cormier | TKO (punches) | UFC 220 | January 20, 2018 | 2 | 2:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 15–1 | Jimi Manuwa | KO (punches) | UFC 214 | July 29, 2017 | 1 | 0:42 | Anaheim, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 14–1 | Misha Cirkunov | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira | May 28, 2017 | 1 | 0:28 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
Win | 13–1 | Ovince Saint Preux | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie | February 4, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
Win | 12–1 | Alihan Vahaev | Decision (unanimous) | WFCA 17: Grand Prix Akhmat | April 9, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Grozny, Russia | WFCA Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinal. |
Win | 11–1 | Paco Estevez | TKO (punches) | Strength & Honor Championship 10 | September 20, 2014 | 1 | N/A | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight bout. |
Loss | 10–1 | Kelly Anundson | Submission (neck crank) | Bellator 115 | April 4, 2014 | 2 | 3:19 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 10–0 | Josh Lanier | TKO (punches and elbows) | Bellator 105 | October 25, 2013 | 1 | 3:13 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
Win | 9–0 | David Round | TKO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings | March 9, 2013 | 1 | N/A | Aarhus, Denmark | Won the WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings Tournament. |
Win | 8–0 | Angelier Benjamin | KO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings | March 9, 2013 | 1 | 0:45 | Aarhus, Denmark | |
Win | 7–0 | Benyaich Mohamed | TKO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings | March 9, 2013 | 1 | 0:15 | Aarhus, Denmark | |
Win | 6–0 | Mohamed Amidi | TKO (punches) | Strength & Honor Championship 6 | October 6, 2012 | 1 | 1:59 | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight bout. |
Win | 5–0 | Bruno Farias Grancheux | TKO (punches) | Lions Fighting Championship 4 | September 15, 2012 | 1 | 1:54 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
Win | 4–0 | Ronilson Santos | TKO (retirement) | Lions Fighting Championship 3 | May 12, 2012 | 1 | 2:12 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
Win | 3–0 | Mamadou Cisse | Submission (kimura) | 100% Fight 10: Supreme League Block C | April 7, 2012 | 1 | 3:43 | Paris, France | |
Win | 2–0 | Boubacar Baldé | Decision (unanimous) | Lions Fighting Championship 1 | October 15, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Neuchâtel, Switzerland | |
Win | 1–0 | Martin Vath | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Switzerland 7 | September 4, 2010 | 1 | 0:56 | Zürich, Switzerland |
5 wins, 0 losses | ||||||||
Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014-10-25 | Win | Nordine Mahieddine | SUPERKOMBAT World Grand Prix 2014 Final Elimination, Super Fight | Geneva, Switzerland | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | |
2014-10-04 | Win | Patrick Schmid | Champions Fight Night 2 | Switzerland | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 2 | N/A | |
2014-09-27 | Win | Kévin Bavelard | Jura Fight Night | Delémont, Switzerland | TKO | 2 | N/A | |
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |