Volkan Oezdemir, a Swiss mixed martial artist and kickboxer, was born on September 19, 1989, in Fribourg, Switzerland. He has a diverse ethnicity with a Turkish father and a Swiss mother. Oezdemir's journey in combat sports began with kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which eventually led him to pursue mixed martial arts.
‘No Time’ made his professional MMA debut in 2010, quickly compiling a 9-0 record before signing with Bellator MMA. He made his debut at Bellator 105 in 2013, securing a first-round TKO victory against Josh Lanier. Despite some setbacks, including a submission loss to Kelly Anundson, he continued to rise in the sport.
In 2017, Oezdemir signed the dotted line and joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He made an immediate impact by defeating Ovince St. Preux on short notice at UFC Fight Night 104. He gained further attention with rapid knockouts against Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa, earning "Performance of the Night" bonuses for both fights.
Oezdemir challenged for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220 in January 2018 but was defeated by Daniel Cormier. Despite subsequent losses, he has remained a formidable competitor in the light heavyweight division and is currently ranked #9 in the light heavyweight rankings.
Volkan Oezdemir Fighting Style
Volkan Oezdemir brings a multi-faceted fighting style to the octagon. The Swiss native combines his striking background in kickboxing with solid grappling, making him a well-rounded fighter in the light heavyweight division.
He has stopped 12 opponents by knockout, showcasing his striking ability. Furthermore, he boasts 2 submission victories, demonstrating his skill to finish fights on the ground.
Volkan Oezdemir Title Fight
After 3 back-to-back wins since his debut in the UFC, Oezdemir was offered a title shot against the light heavyweight champion at the time, Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 on January 20, 2018. In the first round, Oezdemir aggressively pursued Cormier, landing some strikes and leg kicks. However, Cormier's head movement and clinch work allowed him to control the pace. He eventually secured a takedown and attempted a rear-naked choke, which Oezdemir survived until the bell.
In the second round, Cormier quickly secured another takedown, moving into full mount and then into the crucifix position. From there, he unleashed a series of unanswered punches, forcing referee Kevin MacDonald to stop the fight at 2:00 of the round, awarding Cormier the victory via TKO
FAQs on Volkan Oezdemir's fighting style
A. Volkan Oezdemir utilizes a kickboxing fighting style with some grappling mixed in.
A. Volkan Oezdemir is scheduled to fight Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov.
A. Volkan Oezdemir's height is 6 feet and 1 inch.
A. Volkan Oezdemir fights in the light heavyweight division.
A. Volkan Oezdemir lost against Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 via a 2nd round TKO.
