Volkan Oezdemir

Volkan Oezdemir (born 19 September 1989) is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxing practitioner.

He currently competes in the Light heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

A professional competitor since 2010, Oezdemir formerly competed for Bellator.

As a kickboxing practitioner, he competed for Superkombat Fighting Championship in their heavyweight division.

As of 1 August 2023 he is #9 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Oezdemir was born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

His father from Turkey is ethnically Kurdish 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.

Oezdemir made his professional MMA debut in 2010, and compiled a record of 9–0 before being signed by Bellator.

Oezdemir made his promotional debut at Bellator 105 on 25 October 2013, against Josh Lanier.

He won the fight via first-round TKO.

Oezdemir then dropped down to the Light Heavyweight division to face Kelly Anundson at Bellator 115 on 4 April 2014.

He lost the fight via a neck crank submission in the second round.

With little to no fights to be offered by the promotion, they amicably voided the contract and Oezdemir became a free agent.

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.

Oezdemir defeated St. Preux by split decision in the third fight of the main card.

In his second fight for the promotion, Oezdemir faced Misha Cirkunov on 28 May 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109.

He won the fight via knockout just 28 seconds into the first round.

Oezdemir next faced third ranked Jimi Manuwa on 29 July 2017, at UFC 214.

He won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute and subsequently won a Performance of the Night bonus.

Oezdemir faced Daniel Cormier on 20 January 2018, at UFC 220 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Oezdemir was expected to face Maurício Rua on 12 May 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129.

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.

The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for 22 July 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134.

On 2 July 2018 it was reported that the Oezdemir would face Alexander Gustafsson instead on 4 August 2018, at UFC 227.

However, on 19 July 2018, it was reported that Oezdemir was removed from the bout due to a broken nose.

Oezdemir faced Anthony Smith on 27 October 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138.

He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

Oezdemir faced Dominick Reyes on 16 March 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147.

He lost the fight via controversial split decision.

Oezdemir was expected to face Ilir Latifi on 1 June 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.

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.

The pair was rebooked at UFC on ESPN 5 on 3 August 2019.

In turn, due to Oezdemir's visa issues entering the United States, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 156.

He won the fight via knockout in the second round.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Oezdemir faced Aleksandar Rakić on 21 December 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165.

He won the fight via split decision.