Volkan Oezdemir
Swiss mixed martial artist (born 1989)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 since 2010, Oezdemir formerly competed for Bellator. As a kickboxer, he competed for Superkombat Fighting Championship in their heavyweight division. As of 20 June 2026, he is #8 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[10]
Fribourg, Switzerland
| Volkan Oezdemir | |
|---|---|
Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 153 in Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Born | 19 September 1989 Fribourg, Switzerland |
| 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] 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 | 29 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 14 |
| 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 | |
Background
Oezdemir was born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. In a vlog from the UFC YouTube channel for the UFC 220 event, he stated that his father is ethnically Kurdish and his mother is ethnically Swiss[11]. 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.[12]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Oezdemir made his professional MMA debut in 2010, and compiled a record of 9–0 before being signed by Bellator.[citation needed]
Bellator MMA
Oezdemir made his promotional debut at Bellator 105 on 25 October 2013, against Josh Lanier. He won the fight via first-round TKO.[13]
Oezdemir then dropped down to the Light Heavyweight division to face Kelly Anundson at Bellator 115 on 4 April 2014.[14] He lost the fight via a neck crank submission in the second round.[15]
With little to no fights to be offered by the promotion, they amicably voided the contract and Oezdemir became a free agent.[1]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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.[16] Oezdemir defeated St. Preux by split decision in the third fight of the main card.[17]
In his second fight for the promotion, Oezdemir faced Misha Cirkunov on 28 May 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109.[18] He won the fight via knockout just 28 seconds into the first round.[19]
Oezdemir next faced third ranked Jimi Manuwa on 29 July 2017, at UFC 214.[20] He won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute and subsequently won a Performance of the Night bonus.[21][22]
Oezdemir faced Daniel Cormier on 20 January 2018, at UFC 220 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.[23] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[24]
Post-title shot
Oezdemir was expected to face Maurício Rua on 12 May 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129.[25] 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.[26] The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for 22 July 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134.[27] On 2 July 2018 it was reported that the Oezdemir would face Alexander Gustafsson instead on 4 August 2018, at UFC 227.[28] However, on 19 July 2018, it was reported that Oezdemir was removed from the bout due to a broken nose.[29]
Oezdemir faced Anthony Smith on 27 October 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138.[30] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[31]
Oezdemir faced Dominick Reyes on 16 March 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147.[32] He lost the fight via controversial split decision.[33]
Oezdemir was expected to face Ilir Latifi on 1 June 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.[34] 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.[35] The pair was rebooked at UFC on ESPN 5 on 3 August 2019.[36] In turn, due to Oezdemir's visa issues entering the United States, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 156.[37] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[38] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[39]
Oezdemir faced Aleksandar Rakić on 21 December 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165.[40] He won the fight via split decision.[41]
In April 2020, Oezdemir revealed that he had renewed his contract with the UFC.[42]
Oezdemir faced promotional newcomer Jiří Procházka on 12 July 2020, at UFC 251.[43] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[44]
Oezdemir was expected to face Nikita Krylov on 18 October 2020, at UFC Fight Night 180.[45] However, Oezdemir pulled out of the fight in early October citing a knee injury.[46]
Oezdemir was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev on 4 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191.[47] However, the fight was rescheduled for UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi on 30 October.[48] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[49]
Oezdemir faced Paul Craig on 23 July 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208.[50] He won the bout by unanimous decision.[51]
The bout with Nikita Krylov was then re-booked to take place on 22 October 2022, at UFC 280.[52] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[53]
Oezdemir was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov at UFC Fight Night 226 on 2 September 2023.[54] However, Murzakanov pulled out in early August for unknown reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Bogdan Guskov.[55] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[56]
Oezdemir faced Johnny Walker on 22 June 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[57] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.[58] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[59]
Oezdemir faced Carlos Ulberg on 23 November 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248.[60] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[61]
Oezdemir faced Alonzo Menifield on 22 November 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265.[62] He won the fight by knockout in the first round.[63]
After testing positive for EPO on 16 February 2026, Oezdemir was suspended for sixteen months and will be eligible to compete on 17 June 2027.[64]
Kickboxing career
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]
Personal life
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Jimi Manuwa, Ilir Latifi and Johnny Walker[22][39][59]
- UFC.com Awards
- World Kickboxing Network
- Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings Tournament Winner
- MMA Mania
- 2017 #5 Ranked Fighter of the Year[69]
- Sherdog
- 2017 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year[70]
- MMA Junkie
- 2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year[71]
- Bloody Elbow
- 2017 Newcomer of the Year[72]
- MMA Sucka
- 2017 Best UFC Breakout Star[73]
- Fight Matrix
- 2017 Most Improved Fighter of the Year[74]
- 2017 Most Lopsided Upset of the Year vs. Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Fight Night 104[74]
- CBS Sports
- 2017 #4 Ranked UFC Knockout of the Year vs. Jimi Manuwa[75]
- Combat Press
- 2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year[76]
Mixed martial arts record
| 29 matches | 21 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 14 | 2 |
| By submission | 2 | 2 |
| By decision | 5 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 21–8 | Alonzo Menifield | KO (knee and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker | 22 November 2025 | 1 | 1:27 | Al Rayyan, Qatar | |
| Loss | 20–8 | Carlos Ulberg | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo | 23 November 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Macau SAR, China | |
| Win | 20–7 | Johnny Walker | KO (punch) | UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov | 22 June 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 | 2 September 2023 | 1 | 3:46 | Paris, France | |
| Loss | 18–7 | Nikita Krylov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 280 | 22 October 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 18–6 | Paul Craig | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall | 23 July 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 17–6 | Magomed Ankalaev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 267 | 30 October 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 17–5 | Jiří Procházka | KO (punch) | UFC 251 | 12 July 2020 | 2 | 0:49 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 17–4 | Aleksandar Rakić | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie | 21 December 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Busan, South Korea | |
| Win | 16–4 | Ilir Latifi | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 | 10 August 2019 | 2 | 4:31 | Montevideo, Uruguay | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–4 | Dominick Reyes | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal | 16 March 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 15–3 | Anthony Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith | 27 October 2018 | 3 | 4:26 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | |
| Loss | 15–2 | Daniel Cormier | TKO (punches) | UFC 220 | 20 January 2018 | 2 | 2:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–1 | Jimi Manuwa | KO (punches) | UFC 214 | 29 July 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 | 28 May 2017 | 1 | 0:28 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 13–1 | Ovince Saint Preux | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie | 4 February 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Return to Light Heavyweight. |
| Win | 12–1 | Alihan Vahaev | Decision (unanimous) | WFCA 17 | 9 April 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Grozny, Russia | 2016 WFCA Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 11–1 | Paco Estevez | TKO (punches) | Strength and Honor 10 | 20 September 2014 | 1 | N/A | Geneva, Switzerland | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 10–1 | Kelly Anundson | Submission (neck crank) | Bellator 115 | 4 April 2014 | 2 | 3:19 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–0 | Josh Lanier | TKO (punches and elbows) | Bellator 105 | 25 October 2013 | 1 | 3:13 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | David Round | TKO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings 2013 | 9 March 2013 | 1 | N/A | Aarhus, Denmark | Won the 2013 WKN Valhalla Light Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 8–0 | Angelier Benjamin | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:45 | 2013 WKN Valhalla Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 7–0 | Benyaich Mohamed | TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:15 | 2013 WKN Valhalla Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Win | 6–0 | Mohamed Amidi | TKO (punches) | Strength and Honor 6 | 6 October 2012 | 1 | 1:59 | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight debut. |
| Win | 5–0 | Bruno Farias Grancheux | TKO (punches) | Lions FC 4 | 15 September 2012 | 1 | 1:54 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Ronilson Santos | TKO (retirement) | Lions FC 3 | 12 May 2012 | 1 | 2:12 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Mamadou Cisse | Submission (kimura) | 100% Fight 10 | 7 April 2012 | 1 | 3:43 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 2–0 | Boubacar Baldé | Decision (unanimous) | Lions FC 1 | 15 October 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Neuchâtel, Switzerland | |
| Win | 1–0 | Martin Vath | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Switzerland 7 | 4 September 2010 | 1 | 0:56 | Zürich, Switzerland | Light Heavyweight debut. |
Kickboxing record (incomplete)
| 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 | ||||||||