Volkan Özdemir

Volkan Oezdemir (born 19 September 1989) is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. 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.

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 . 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.

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 the fight 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 the fight via a neck crank submission in the second round.

With little to no fights to be offered by the promotion, they amicably voided the contract and Oezdemir became a free agent. Oezdemir defeated St. Preux by split decision in the third fight of the main card.

In his second fight for the promotion, Oezdemir faced Misha Cirkunov on 28 May 2017, at UFC Fight Night 109. He won the fight via knockout just 28 seconds into the first round.

Oezdemir next faced third ranked Jimi Manuwa on 29 July 2017, at UFC 214. He won the fight via knockout in the fight's opening minute and subsequently won a Performance of the Night bonus.

Oezdemir faced Daniel Cormier on 20 January 2018, at UFC 220 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Post-title shot Oezdemir was expected to face Maurício Rua on 12 May 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129. 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. The pairing was left intact and rescheduled for 22 July 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134. On 2 July 2018 it was reported that the Oezdemir would face Alexander Gustafsson instead on 4 August 2018, at UFC 227. However, on 19 July 2018, it was reported that Oezdemir was removed from the bout due to a broken nose.

Oezdemir faced Anthony Smith on 27 October 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

Oezdemir faced Dominick Reyes on 16 March 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147. He lost the fight via controversial split decision.

Oezdemir was expected to face Ilir Latifi on 1 June 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153. 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. The pair was rebooked at UFC on ESPN 5 on 3 August 2019. In turn, due to Oezdemir's visa issues entering the United States, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 156. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Oezdemir faced Aleksandar Rakić on 21 December 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165. He won the fight via split decision.

In April 2020, Oezdemir revealed that he had renewed his contract with the UFC.

Oezdemir faced promotional newcomer Jiří Procházka on 12 July 2020, at UFC 251. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Oezdemir was expected to face Nikita Krylov on 18 October 2020, at UFC Fight Night 180. However, Oezdemir pulled out of the fight in early October citing a knee injury.

Oezdemir was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev on 4 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191. However, the fight was rescheduled for UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi on 30 October. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Oezdemir faced Paul Craig on 23 July 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208. He won the bout by unanimous decision.

The bout with Nikita Krylov was then re-booked to take place on 22 October 2022, at UFC 280. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Oezdemir was scheduled to face Azamat Murzakanov at UFC Fight Night 226 on 2 September 2023. However, Murzakanov pulled out in early August for unknown reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Bogdan Guskov. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Oezdemir faced Johnny Walker on 22 June 2024, at UFC on ABC 6. He won the fight by knockout in the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Oezdemir faced Carlos Ulberg on 23 November 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Oezdemir faced Alonzo Menifield on 22 November 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

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.

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.

Personal life Aggravated battery case On 19 November 2017, Oezdemir was arrested for aggravated battery. His bail was reportedly set at $10,000. On 9 July 2018, he informed that the charges pressed against him were dropped.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three times) & Ranked #6 Fighter of the Year World Kickboxing Network Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings Tournament Winner MMA Mania 2017 #5 Ranked Fighter of the Year Sherdog 2017 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year MMA Junkie 2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year Bloody Elbow 2017 Newcomer of the Year MMA Sucka 2017 Best UFC Breakout Star Fight Matrix 2017 Most Improved Fighter of the Year 2017 Most Lopsided Upset of the Year Combat Press 2017 Breakout Fighter of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Alonzo Menifield KO (knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker

Al Rayyan, Qatar Loss

Carlos Ulberg Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo

Macau SAR, China Win

Johnny Walker KO (punch) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Bogdan Guskov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac

Paris, France Loss

Nikita Krylov Decision (unanimous) UFC 280

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Paul Craig Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall

London, England Loss

Magomed Ankalaev Decision (unanimous) UFC 267

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Jiří Procházka KO (punch) UFC 251

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Win

Aleksandar Rakić Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie

Busan, South Korea Win

Ilir Latifi KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2

Montevideo, Uruguay Loss

Dominick Reyes Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal

London, England Loss

Anthony Smith Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Loss

Daniel Cormier TKO (punches) UFC 220

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Jimi Manuwa KO (punches) UFC 214

Anaheim, California, United States Win

Misha Cirkunov KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira

Stockholm, Sweden Win

Ovince Saint Preux Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Alihan Vahaev Decision (unanimous) WFCA 17

Grozny, Russia Win

Paco Estevez TKO (punches) Strength and Honor 10

Geneva, Switzerland Loss

Kelly Anundson Submission (neck crank) Bellator 115

Reno, Nevada, United States Win

Josh Lanier TKO (punches and elbows) Bellator 105

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States Win

David Round TKO (punches)

Win

Angelier Benjamin KO (punches)

Win

Benyaich Mohamed TKO (punches)

Win

Mohamed Amidi TKO (punches) Strength and Honor 6

Geneva, Switzerland Win

Bruno Farias Grancheux TKO (punches) Lions FC 4

Itabuna, Brazil Win

Ronilson Santos TKO (retirement) Lions FC 3

Itabuna, Brazil Win

Mamadou Cisse Submission (kimura) 100% Fight 10

Paris, France Win

Boubacar Baldé Decision (unanimous) Lions FC 1

Neuchâtel, Switzerland Win

Martin Vath TKO (punches) Shooto: Switzerland 7

Zürich, Switzerland

Kickboxing record (incomplete)