Volkan Oezdemir was born on 19 September 1989 and is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxing practitioner.
31 Facts About Volkan Oezdemir
2.
Volkan Oezdemir currently competes in the Light heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
3.
Volkan Oezdemir befriended Alistair Overeem on a visit to the Netherlands while training at the Golden Glory gym.
4.
Volkan Oezdemir later competed in amateur and professional kickboxing, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, before transitioning to mixed martial arts.
5.
Volkan Oezdemir made his promotional debut at Bellator 105 on October 25,2013, against Josh Lanier.
6.
Volkan Oezdemir then dropped down to the Light Heavyweight division to face Kelly Anundson at Bellator 115 on April 4,2014.
7.
Volkan Oezdemir lost the fight via a neck crank submission in the second round.
8.
Volkan Oezdemir was signed by the UFC in 2017, and made his promotional debut as a short notice injury replacement against Ovince St Preux on February 4,2017, at UFC Fight Night 104.
9.
Volkan Oezdemir defeated St Preux by split decision in the third fight of the main card.
10.
Volkan Oezdemir won the fight via knockout just 28 seconds into the first round.
11.
Volkan Oezdemir next faced third ranked Jimi Manuwa on July 29,2017, at UFC 214.
12.
Volkan Oezdemir won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute and subsequently won a Performance of the Night bonus.
13.
Volkan Oezdemir faced Daniel Cormier on January 20,2018, at UFC 220 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
14.
Volkan Oezdemir lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
15.
Volkan Oezdemir was expected to face Mauricio Rua on May 12,2018, at UFC Fight Night 129.
16.
However it was reported on April 13,2018, that Volkan Oezdemir was pulled from the event due to alleged visa issues restricting his travel to Chile.
17.
However, on July 19,2018, it was reported that Volkan Oezdemir was removed from the bout due to a broken nose.
18.
Volkan Oezdemir faced Anthony Smith on October 27,2018, at UFC Fight Night 138.
19.
Volkan Oezdemir lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.
20.
Volkan Oezdemir faced Dominick Reyes on March 16,2019, at UFC Fight Night 147.
21.
Volkan Oezdemir was expected to face Ilir Latifi on June 1,2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.
22.
Volkan Oezdemir won the fight via knockout in the second round.
23.
Volkan Oezdemir faced Aleksandar Rakic on December 21,2019, at UFC Fight Night 165.
24.
Volkan Oezdemir faced promotional newcomer Jiri Prochazka on July 12,2020, at UFC 251.
25.
Volkan Oezdemir lost the fight via knockout in the second round.
26.
Volkan Oezdemir was expected to face Nikita Krylov on October 18,2020, at UFC Fight Night 180.
27.
Volkan Oezdemir was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev on September 4,2021, at UFC Fight Night 191.
28.
Volkan Oezdemir faced Paul Craig on July 23,2022, at UFC Fight Night 208.
29.
Volkan Oezdemir faced Nikita Krylov on October 22,2022, at UFC 280.
30.
Volkan Oezdemir made his debut in Romania-based SUPERKOMBAT, the largest kickboxing promotion in Europe, in 2014.
31.
On 19 November 2017, Volkan Oezdemir was arrested for aggravated battery.