Volkan Oezdemir News

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 28, 2017

Last Friday, Daniel Cormier took to Twitter not to cause a beef or talk trash to a potential opponent, he did something different. The UFC light heavyweight champ put it to a vote, to let the fans decide who he should defend the belt against. At the time, it seemed nothing more than a fun gauge of interest, but Cormier is taking this to the next level. The fans decided that Volkan Oezdemir has earned the next title shot and so Cormier agrees. He tweeted at Oezdemir personally today to begin negotiations on a potential date for their fight.

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 - 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.

Jason Kindschy - August 2, 2017

BJPENN.COM Radio returns tonight at 8PM ET/5PM PT with more awesome guests for your MMA fix! 8:15PM ET- First up, arguably the biggest winner from UFC 214 over the weekend, Volkan “No Time” Oezdemir. After dispatching the very dangerous Jimi Manuwa in less than a minute, Volkan is calling for a crack at the Jon Jones or a title eliminator against Alexander Gustafson. We’ll recap the huge win, get his take on the triumphant return of Jon Jones, and discuss what his next move will be as he continues blazing a trail towards the light-heavyweight crown.

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.

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.

bjpenndotcom - July 26, 2017

BJPENN.COM Radio is live at 8PM ET/5PM PT with another stacked guest list! 8:15PM ET- Kicking things off tonight we are joined by UFC welterweight, Alan Jouban. Just over a week removed from UFC Fight Night 114 in Mexico City, we’ll be previewing his bout with Niko Price. “Brahma” is focused on getting back in the win column following the submission loss to Gunnar Nelson back in March, and while he knows Niko Price is another challenge in his way, Jouban feels that he’s ready to show the world his true form. We’ll breakdown this matchup and talk shop with the Black House/10th Planet standout.

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 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

On May 28, the UFC will touch down in beautiful Stockholm, Sweden with an exciting night of fights. In the evening’s co-main event, rapidly  rising light heavyweight contenders Volkan Oezdemir and Misha Cirkunov will collide in a bout that has title implications written all over it. In advance of this fight, Oezdemir joined host Kinch on BJ Penn Radio to discuss Cirkunov, and the challenges he presents as an opponent.

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.