Volkan Oezdemir
Volkan Oezdemir (born 19 September 1989) is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxing practitioner[4] competing in the Light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. 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 August 10, 2020, he is #7 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[5]
Volkan Oezdemir | |
---|---|
Born | Fribourg, Switzerland | 19 September 1989
Other names | No Time |
Nationality | Swiss |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
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 | Combat Club Sanford MMA[1][2][3] |
Years active | 2010–present (MMA) 2014 (Kickboxing) |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 5 |
Wins | 5 |
Losses | 0 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 22 |
Wins | 17 |
By knockout | 12 |
By submission | 1 |
By decision | 4 |
Losses | 5 |
By knockout | 2 |
By submission | 2 |
By decision | 1 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Background
Oezdemir was born in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. His father from Turkey was ethnically Kurdish[6][7][8][9], while his mother is a 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.[10]
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.
Bellator MMA
Oezdemir made his promotional debut at Bellator 105 on 25 October 2013, against Josh Lanier. He won 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 via neck crank submission in the second round.
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.[11] Oezdemir defeated St. Preux by split decision in the third fight of the main card.[12]
In his second fight for the promotion, Oezdemir faced Misha Cirkunov on 28 May 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109.[13] He won the fight via knockout just 28 seconds into the first round.[14]
Oezdemir next faced third ranked Jimi Manuwa on 29 July 2017, at UFC 214.[15] He won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute and subsequently won a Performance of the Night bonus.[16][17]
Oezdemir faced Daniel Cormier on 20 January 2018 at UFC 220 for the Light Heavyweight Championship.[18] He lost the fight in the 2nd round by TKO.[19]
Oezdemir was expected to face Maurício Rua on 12 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[20] 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.[21] The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for 22 July 2018 at UFC Fight Night 134.[22] On 2 July 2018, it was reported that the Oezdemir would face Alexander Gustafsson instead on 4 August 2018 at UFC 227.[23] However, on 19 July 2018 it was reported that Oezdemir was removed from the bout due to a broken nose.[24]
Oezdemir faced Anthony Smith on 27 October 2018 at UFC Fight Night 138.[25] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[26]
Oezdemir faced Dominick Reyes on 16 March 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 5.[27] He lost the fight via controversial split decision.[28]
Oezdemir was expected to face Ilir Latifi on 1 June 2019 at UFC Fight Night 153.[29] On May 30, 2019 it was reported that Latifi was forced to pull out of the event due to back injury and the bout was cancelled.[30] The pair was rebooked at UFC on ESPN 5 on August 3, 2019.[31] In turn, due to Oezemir visa issues to enter United States, the bout was moved to UFC on ESPN+ 14.[32] He won the fight via knockout in the second round.[33] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[34]
Oezdemir faced Aleksandar Rakić on December 21, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 23.[35] He won the fight via a split decision.[36]
In April 2020, Oezdemir revealed that he had renewed his contract with the UFC.[37]
Oezdemi faced promotional newcomer Jiří Procházka on July 11 at UFC 251.[38] He lost the fight by knockout in the second round.[39]
Kickboxing career
Oezdemir also holds a record of 5–0 in professional kickboxing. He made his debut in SUPERKOMBAT, the largest kickboxing organization in Europe, in 2014.[40]
Personal life
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Jimi Manuwa and Ilir Latifi[43][34]
- MMA Mania.com
- UFC/MMA 'Fighter of the Year' 2017 – Top 5 List #5[44]
- World Kickboxing Network
- Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings Tournament Winner
- Sherdog
- 2017 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year[45]
- MMAjunkie.com
- 2017 Breakout of the Year[46]
- Bloody Elbow
- 2017 Newcomer of the Year[47]
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
22 matches | 17 wins | 5 losses |
By knockout | 12 | 2 |
By submission | 1 | 2 |
By decision | 4 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. 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. 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: Grand Prix Akhmat | 9 April 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Grozny, Russia | WFCA Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
Win | 11–1 | Paco Estevez | TKO (punches) | SHC 10: Carvalho vs. Belo | 20 September 2014 | 1 | N/A | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight bout. |
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 | 9 March 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 | 9 March 2013 | 1 | 0:45 | Aarhus, Denmark | |
Win | 7–0 | Benyaich Mohamed | TKO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings | 9 March 2013 | 1 | 0:15 | Aarhus, Denmark | |
Win | 6–0 | Mohamed Amidi | TKO (punches) | SHC 6: Belo vs. Rodriguez | 6 October 2012 | 1 | 1:59 | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight bout. |
Win | 5–0 | Bruno Farias Grancheux | TKO (punches) | Lions Fighting Championship 4 | 15 September 2012 | 1 | 1:54 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
Win | 4–0 | Ronilson Santos | TKO (retirement) | Lions Fighting Championship 3 | 12 May 2012 | 1 | 2:12 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
Win | 3–0 | Mamadou Cisse | Submission (kimura) | 100% Fight 10: Supreme League Block C | 7 April 2012 | 1 | 3:43 | Paris, France | |
Win | 2–0 | Boubacar Baldé | Decision (unanimous) | Lions Fighting Championship | 15 October 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Neuchatel, Switzerland | |
Win | 1–0 | Martin Vath | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Switzerland 7 | 4 September 2010 | 1 | 0:56 | Zurich, Switzerland |
Kickboxing record (Incomplete)
Kickboxing record (Incomplete) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 wins, 0 losses
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
References
- "Volkan "No Time" Oezdemir | Hard Knocks 365". Hard Knocks 365. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- "Volkan Oezdemir Has No Time to Waste in Pursuit of UFC Glory". Sports. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- Ollie Carlson (13 December 2019). "Hard Knocks 365 rebrands to Sanford MMA with sponsorship from Sanford Health". thebodylockmma.com.
- https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2017/8/1/16074490/volkan-oezdemir-jon-jones-is-gonna-have-to-know-more-about-me-ufc-214-mma-news-interview
- "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
- UFC 220 Embedded: Vlog Series – Episode 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk4_z2bP0EU
- RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse (18 February 2017). "26' (S2 – ém.21 – 6/6) – L'entretien de la rédaction: Volkan Oezdemir". Retrieved 8 December 2017 – via YouTube.
- "UFC 214'te Volkan Özdemir de dövüşecek". CNN Türk. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- "Volkan Oezdemir interview: 'There was a time when I decided to give up everything'". 26 September 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
- "Volkan Oezdemir – Official UFC Profile". Ufc.com. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- Staff (21 January 2017). "Ovince Saint Preux gets new opponent – UFC's first Switzerland native – for UFC Fight Night 104". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- "UFC Fight Night 104 results: Newcomer Volkan Oezdemir takes split from Ovince Saint Preux". 5 February 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- Staff (13 March 2017). "With new deal in tow, Misha Cirkunov meets Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 109 in Stockholm". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
- Ben Fowlkes (28 May 2017). "UFC Fight Night 109 results: Volkan Oezdemir stuns Misha Cirkunov with quick one-punch KO". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- Lance Pugmire (31 May 2017). "Jimi Manuwa to take on Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 214 in Anaheim". latimes.com. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
- "UFC 214 results: Volkan Oezdemir knocks out Jimi Manuwa to state case as title contender". MMAjunkie. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "UFC 214 bonuses: Jon Jones, Volkan Oezdemir earn $50K for knockout wins". MMAjunkie. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- Steven Marrocco (29 November 2017). "Daniel Cormier vs. Volkan Oezdemir title fight confirmed for UFC 220". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- "UFC 220 results: Daniel Cormier pounds out Volkan Oezdemir to retain 205-pound title". MMAjunkie. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- "'Shogun' Rua vs. Volkan Oezdemir set for UFC Fight Night 129 in Chile". MMAjunkie. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- "Volkan Oezdemir vs. 'Shogun' Rua pulled from UFC Chile". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- Staff (23 April 2018). "Volkan Oezdemir vs. 'Shogun' rebooked, now headlines UFC Fight Night 134 in Hamburg". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- "Volkan Oezdemir shifted to UFC 227 vs. Alexander Gustafsson; replacement needed for 'Shogun'". MMAjunkie. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
- "Sources: Oezdemir injured; Gustafsson bout off". ESPN.com. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- Steve Marrocco (2 August 2018). "Volkan Oezdemir vs. Anthony Smith to headline UFC Fight Night 138 in Moncton". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
- "UFC Moncton Results: Anthony Smith submits Volkan Oezdemir (Highlights) | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 28 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Oleś, Bartosz (30 December 2018). "Doniesienia: Volkan Oezdemir vs. Dominick Reyes na UFC on ESPN+5 w Londynie". InTheCage.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 31 December 2018.
- "UFC London results: Dominick Reyes stays unbeaten, squeaks by Volkan Oezdemir". MMA Junkie. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- Tristen Critchfield (25 March 2019). "Ilir Latifi vs. Volkan Oezdemir added to UFC Stockholm". sherdog.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
- "Ilir Latifi injured, bout vs. Volkan Oezdemir scratched from UFC Stockholm". MMA Junkie. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Volkan Oezdemir vs Ilir Latifi re-booked for UFC on ESPN 5". MMAnytt.com. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- Adam Guillen Jr. (18 July 2019). "Report: Visa issues force Volkan Oezdemir vs Ilir Latifi to move to UFC Uruguay". mmamania.com. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
- Harshman, Heath (10 August 2019). "UFC Uruguay Results: Volkan Oezdemir Takes Out Ilir Latifi With Second Round Knockout". Cageside Press. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- Fernando Quiles Jr. (11 August 2019). "UFC Uruguay Bonuses & Attendance Revealed • MMA News". mmanews.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- DNA, MMA. "Light-Heavyweightclash tussen Volkan Oezdemir en Aleksandar Rakic tijdens UFC Busan". Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- Doherty, Dan (21 December 2019). "UFC Busan Results: Volkan Oezdemir On Right Side of Split Decision Against Aleksander Rakic". Cageside Press. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- Farah Hannoun (21 April 2020). "Volkan Oezdemir accepts August fight with Jiri Prochazka, hopes it goes ahead on 'Fight Island'". mmajunkie.com.
- DNA, MMA. "RIZIN FF kampioen Jiri Prochazka maakt UFC debuut tegen Volkan Oezdemir tijdens UFC 251". Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- Bitter, Shawn (11 July 2020). "UFC 251 Results: Jiri Prochazka Lays Waste To Volkan Oezdemir". Cageside Press. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- "Carl Emery proudly announces the first Superkombat in Geneva, Switzerland!". yamabushi.ch. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
- "UFC light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir arrested on battery charge in Florida". November 2017.
- "Volkan Oezdemir gets charges dropped in felony battery case". | BJPenn.com. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
- "UFC 214 bonuses: Jon Jones, Volkan Oezdemir earn $50K for knockout wins". MMAjunkie. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "The 2017 'Fighter of the Year' Is ..." MMAmania.com. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
- Sherdog.com. "Sherdog.com's 2017 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year". Sherdog. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- "MMAjunkie's '2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year': UFC newcomer wasted no time rising up". MMAjunkie. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- "Bloody Elbow 2017 Year-End Awards – Results". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
- Sherdog.com. "Volkan". Sherdog. Retrieved 22 December 2019.