Quick Facts
Biography
Volkan Özdemir (born September 19, 1989 in Fribourg) is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and kickboxer currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2010, Oezdemir formerly competed for Bellator. As a kickboxer, he competed for Superkombat Fighting Championship in their heavyweight division. He is currently #3 in the UFC's light heavyweight rankings.
Background
A native of Switzerland with a Swiss mother and Turkish father, the French-speaking Oezdemir 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 October 25, 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 April 4, 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 February 4, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 104.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 May 28, 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 July 29, 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.
Kickboxing career
Oezdemir also holds a record of 5-0 in professional kickboxing. He made his SUPERKOMBAT (largest kickboxing organization in Europe) debut in 2014.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Jimi Manuwa
- World Kickboxing Network
- Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings Tournament Winner
Kickboxing record (Incomplete)
| Volkan Oezdemir kickboxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 wins, 0 losses
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 16 matches | 15 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 11 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 15–1 | Jimi Manuwa | KO (punches) | UFC 214 | 000000002017-07-29-0000July 29, 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 | 000000002017-05-28-0000May 28, 2017 | 1 | 0:28 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 13–1 | Ovince Saint Preux | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. Korean Zombie | 000000002017-02-04-0000February 4, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Alihan Vahaev | Decision (unanimous) | WFCA 17: Grand Prix Akhmat | 000000002016-04-09-0000April 9, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Grozny, Chechnya, Russia | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 11–1 | Paco Estevez | TKO (punches) | SHC 10: Carvalho vs. Belo | 000000002014-09-20-0000September 20, 2014 | 1 | N/A | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 10–1 | Kelly Anundson | Submission (neck crank) | Bellator 115 | 000000002014-04-04-0000April 4, 2014 | 2 | 3:19 | Reno, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–0 | Josh Lanier | TKO (punches and elbows) | Bellator 105 | 000000002013-10-25-0000October 25, 2013 | 1 | 3:13 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | David Round | TKO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings | 000000002013-03-09-0000March 9, 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 | 000000002013-03-09-0000March 9, 2013 | 1 | 0:45 | Aarhus, Denmark | |
| Win | 7–0 | Benyaich Mohamed | TKO (punches) | WKN Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings | 000000002013-03-09-0000March 9, 2013 | 1 | 0:15 | Aarhus, Denmark | |
| Win | 6–0 | Mohamed Amidi | TKO (punches) | SHC 6: Belo vs. Rodriguez | 000000002012-10-06-0000October 6, 2012 | 1 | 1:59 | Geneva, Switzerland | Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | Bruno Farias Grancheux | TKO (punches) | Lions Fighting Championship 4 | 000000002012-09-15-0000September 15, 2012 | 1 | 1:54 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Ronilson Santos | TKO (retirement) | Lions Fighting Championship 3 | 000000002012-05-12-0000May 12, 2012 | 1 | 2:12 | Itabuna, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Mamadou Cisse | Submission (kimura) | 100% Fight 10: Supreme League Block C | 000000002012-04-07-0000April 7, 2012 | 1 | 3:43 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 2–0 | Boubacar Baldé | Decision (unanimous) | Lions Fighting Championship | 000000002011-10-15-0000October 15, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Neuchatel, Switzerland | |
| Win | 1–0 | Martin Vath | TKO (punches) | Shooto: Switzerland 7 | 000000002010-09-04-0000September 4, 2010 | 1 | 0:56 | Zurich, Switzerland |