Volkan Oezdemir News

Tom Taylor - October 5, 2017

When Jon Jones failed a UFC 214 drug test, and the light heavyweight strap was returned to Daniel Cormier, the question of the next light heavyweight title challenger seemed to come down to two men: Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson and Switzerland’s Volkan Oezdemir. In an effort to pick the next challenger for his reinstated title, Cormier took to social media to let the fans decide. Apparently, they landed on Oezdemir. From there, Cormier offered Oezdemir the title shot, and the Swiss knockout artist quickly accepted.

Jason Kindschy - October 4, 2017

BJPENN Radio is back tonight at 8PM ET/5PM PT with more great guests for your MMA fix! 8:15PM ET- Our first guest tonight is Bellator heavyweight contender, Matt Mitrione. Following his sensational finish over the legendary Fedor Emelianenko back in June, Matt is the prime candidate to fight for the vacant Bellator strap. We’ll catch up with Mitrione and discuss what’s next for him in his march towards a championship. He’ll give us his thoughts on the debut of Roy Nelson, the addition of Frank Mir to the roster, and what he thinks about the possibility of a heavyweight tournament with the promotion. Plus, much more!

Tom Taylor - October 2, 2017

Shortly after it was announced that Jon Jones had failed a drug test in the lead up to his UFC 214 defeat of Daniel Cormier, the fight was ruled a no contest, and Cormier was reinstated as the UFC light heavyweight champion. From there, Cormier took a few days to process this hectic turn of events. Eventually, however, the reinstated champion set his sights on his next challenge, and this time around, he let the fans decide. Apparently, the fans decided on Switzerland’s Volkan Oezdemir, who burst into title contention with a decision defeat of Ovince Saint Preux and pair of blitzkrieg knockouts of Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa. Once the fans had spoken, Cormier offered the title shot to Oezdemir, and the Swiss knockout artist quickly accepted.

Justin Golightly - September 28, 2017

The power of the fans may have proven to be even more influential than they ever thought before. Just earlier today, Daniel Cormier addressed Twitter about their results when he asked who he should fight next. ‘No Time’ Volkan Oezdemir beat out light heavyweight number one contender Alexander Gustafsson as the fighter they want to see challenge Cormier for the UFC title. The champ replied to Oezdemir personally to let him know he has been chose. Now, the big Swiss armed with rocket arms accepted DC’s challenge, as well as giving him a little praise. @dc_mma you are a real champ! I'm glad they chose me. Fans are always right ! #fromnowheretothebelt #history #notime #blessed&honored pic.twitter.com/eo7UNw1eMJ

Justin Golightly - September 22, 2017

After all Daniel Cormier has been through, he needs a break. He suffered a devastating loss to Jon Jones back at UFC 214, then had to go through another controversy involving his opponent, once again going through a roller coaster of ups and downs. However, after being re-crowned as the new/old UFC light heavyweight champion, he’s starting to think about who he’ll have to defend against. He just took to Twitter not too long ago answering some questions from fans, and says if it is Volkan Oezdemir we want, then Volkan Oezdemir we’ll get.

Justin Golightly - September 14, 2017

The nickname that Volkan Oezdemir wears like a badge of honor couldn’t be more appropriate. Mr. ‘No Time’ has spent six minutes and 10 seconds fighting in the UFC. That amount of time is three fights combined. It’s no wonder that Oezdemir just entered into the UFC this year and he’s already knocking on the door to a title shot. Unfortunately, Jon Jones has complicated the title picture a little bit, but that’s not going to slow him down. He’s talked about Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson before, but it looks like he’s doubling down on the Swedish mauler. “I think a fight with [Daniel Cormier] or a fight with [Alexander] Gustafsson are most likely next, but I think the best option for me is to fight Gustafsson. The situation isn’t very clear with the belt, so in the mean time I would like to fight Gustafsson for the number one contender spot. Maybe after that I can fight ‘DC’ for the belt. I think because he was the champion and with what has happened to Jones, he deserves to fight for the belt. It’s a smart choice for [Gustafsson] not fight me. He’s right there for the belt too. His next fight was supposed to be for the belt, so because of that, fighting would me would be completely stupid. He will lose his spot if he fights me, he will go down and lose one year of his life.”

Justin Golightly - August 18, 2017

The hit list was impressive as it was quick: Ovince Saint Preux, Misha Cirkunov, then Jimi Manuwa at UFC 214. Volkan Oezdemir came out of absolutely nowhere and devastated the shallow light heavyweight division. Rocketing to top three, it’s hard to believe that Oezdemir has such a short list of opponents since he just debuted in the UFC in February, but that’s what happens when you just start knocking out dudes. It’s a no-brainer that he wants to fight Jon Jones for the belt, but Jones seems to have his eyes on Brock Lesnar. He wants to fight Alexander Gustafsson, but he that rematch with Jones. That only leaves one man: Daniel Cormier. “[Daniel] Cormier could be an option in the future because he’s going to have to come back in the scene. Even though he comes off a loss, he’s still going to be the number one contender. We tried to work something out [with Alexander Gustafsson] for UFC Poland in the main event, but like I told you, he’s concentrating on fighting [Jon] Jones. […] It could be a good opportunity also. He’s the second guy in the division. He was the title holder for awhile also, but I think maybe he needs some time off after the rebound.” – Volkan Oezdemir via The MMA Digest.

Tom Taylor - August 3, 2017

Last Saturday, in the first fight of the stacked UFC 214 main card, rapidly rising light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir picked up yet another thunderous first-round knockout win, this time over one of the division’s top dogs in Jimi Manuwa. With this win, Oezdemir solidified his status as one of the top light heavyweight contenders, and one of the most deserving men of a crack at the new champ, Jon Jones. Unfortunately for Oezdemir, there are a number of high-profile opponents on Jones’ menu at present. The biggest name of the bunch is former heavyweight champ and WWE star Brock Lesnar, though Alexander Gustafsson and the recently retired Anthony “Rumble” Johnson would also seem to be options.

Russell Ess - July 31, 2017

Volkan Oezdemir has made a very clear statement to the UFC light heavyweight division with his last two impressive performances in the Octagon. Oezdemir holds a 15-1 professional MMA record and has only had three fights in the UFC, making his UFC debut against Ovince St. Preux at UFC Fight Night 104 back in February. Oezdemir took a split decision win over St. Preux and then went on to face Misha Cirkunov in his next fight in the Octagon. Oezdemir needed just 28 seconds to KO Cirkunov in his second UFC fight. It was quick work again over the weekend for Oezdemir who went into the fight ranked #5 by the UFC against #3 ranked Jimi Manuwa. The fight lasted just 42 seconds as “No Time” scored another highlight reel KO finish over Manuwa.

Tom Taylor - July 30, 2017

Last night, in the first bout of the stacked UFC 214 main card, Switzerland’s Volkan Oezdemir stepped onto the canvas with British knockout artist Jimi Manuwa in perceived light heavyweight number-one-contender fight. Though Oezdemir entered this fight as noteworthy underdog, he passed his test with flying colors, mauling his accomplished foe to a first-round knockout victory. Because this bout was just Oezdemir’s third in the UFC, his emphatic defeat of Manuwa might have come as a bit of a surprise to many members of the MMA community. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Johnson, however, was not surprised at all. Having spent the last few weeks training with Oezdemir at Combat Club in Lantana, Florida, he is well aware of what the Swiss bomber is capable of.

Chris Taylor - July 29, 2017

A key light heavyweight bout between surging contenders Jimi Manuwa and Volkan Oezdemir kicked off tonight’s UFC 214 pay-per-view main card in Anaheim, California. Round one begins and Oezdemir lands a hard leg kick. The fighters clinch and Manuwa lands a knee. He presses Volkan against the cage. Oezdemir comes forward and lands a hard right. Manuwa is hurt. More shots from Oezdemir. Manuwa retreats but Volkan lands a left hand that drops him. Hammer fists from Volkan and this one is all over.

Tom Taylor - July 27, 2017

This weekend, in the opening bout of the UFC 214 main card, Swiss striker Volkan Oezdemir will collide with British knockout artist Jimi Manuwa in what is widely perceived as a light heavyweight number one contender. Earlier this week, Oezdemir took time out of his busy fight week for an interview with BJ Penn Radio. During this interview, the Swiss upstart broke down his looming matchup with Manuwa, and gave a very bold prediction for the fight.

Russell Ess - June 23, 2017

Former UFC title contender Anthony Johnson shocked the MMA community when he announced his retirement following his light heavyweight title fight loss to champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 210 in April. “This was my last fight,” Johnson told Joe Rogan in the post-fight Octagon interview. “I didn’t tell anybody. I didn’t even tell Dana White. My coaches knew, my family knew and my friends knew. I didn’t want any distractions. But I have to thank you all for being there for me. I gave my commitment to another job. Something that I have wanted to do for a while. It is not MMA related or anything like that. It is just time for me to move on to something else. I’m tired of getting punched by guys and rolling around on the ground with guys and stuff like that. Ain’t nothing fun about that.”

Tom Taylor - May 31, 2017

UFC 214, which is scheduled for July 29 in Anaheim, California, has grown by one massive light heavyweight showdown, as British bomber Jimi Manuwa will collide with slick Swiss striker Volkan Oezdemir in a bout that could well produce the next contender for the UFC light heavyweight crown. Manuwa and Oezdemir hold the number three and five spots in the UFC light heavyweight rankings respectively. This bout was announced on Twitter by the UFC.

Tom Taylor - May 29, 2017

On Sunday afternoon, in the co-main event of the UFC’s latest trip to beautiful Stockholm, Sweden, surging Swiss light heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir scored an upset, knockout win over the highly regarded Misha Cirkunov – and he did it in just 28 seconds. With this win, Oezdemir solidified his status as one of the top light heavyweights on the planet, and set himself up for what could well be a number one contender fight in his next outing. In the wake of this impressive win, Oezdemir made no secret of the fight he’d like next: a fight with British striking specialist Jimi Manuwa, who is also banging on the door of the champion Daniel Cormier.

Tom Taylor - May 28, 2017

On Sunday afternoon the UFC returned to Sweden with UFC Stockholm, an action-packed, 12-fight card. In the evening’s co-main event, we saw ranked light heavyweight contender Volkan Oezdemir and Misha Cirkunov in a bout that would send the winner shooting up the divisional ranks. In the end, the bout’s winner was Oezdemir. Despite his status as a significant undercard, he won and won quickly, punishing an over-aggressive Cirkunov with a clubbing punch behind the ear. The blow landed, Cirkunov crumpled to the floor, and that was that.

Tom Taylor - May 18, 2017

Volkan Oezdemir’s story is a wild one. At the end of 2016, the Swiss light heavyweight was a relative unknown, flying under the radar of all but the most hardcore MMA fans. In early February of 2017, he defeated recent interim title challenger Ovince St. Preux by split decision in a short notice fight, usurping the number-five spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings as a result. His was an unprecedented leap from relative obscurity into UFC light heavyweight title contention.

bjpenndotcom - May 17, 2017

BJPENN.COM Radio is live at 8PM ET/5PM PT with a trio of future contenders! 8:15PM ET- Kicking off tonights show is the No. 5 ranked light-heavyweight and one of the athletes featured at UFC FN 109 in Sweden next week, Volkan Oezdemir. Coming off an incredible win over Ovince St. Preux back in February, Volkan has skyrocketed into the top 5 and has taken the division by storm. We’ll be previewing his upcoming bout with Misha Cirkunov and hear about Volkan’s meteoric rise in one of the UFC’s toughest divisions.