Volkan Oezdemir

Fighter Facts

• Pro since 2010
   
• Twelve wins by KO, one by submission (kimura)
   
• Twelve first round finishes
   
• Seven knockouts in under one minute
   
• Has won seven of his last 11

UFC History

UFC 267 (10/30/21) Oezdemir lost a three round unanimous decision to Magomed Ankalaev
UFC 251 (7/12/20) Oezdemir was knocked out by Jiri Prochazka at :49 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (12/21/19) Oezdemir won a three round split decision over Aleksandar Rakic
UFC Fight Night (8/10/19) Oezdemir knocked out Ilir Latifi at 4:31 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (3/16/19) Oezdemir lost a three round split decision to Dominick Reyes
UFC Fight Night (10/27/18) Oezdemir was submitted by Anthony Smith via rear naked choke at 4:26 of the third round
UFC 220 (1/20/18) Oezdemir was stopped by Daniel Cormier via strikes at 2:00 of the second round
UFC 214 (7/29/17) Oezdemir knocked out Jimi Manuwa at :42 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (5/28/17) Oezdemir knocked out Misha Cirkunov at :28 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (2/4/17) Oezdemir won a three round split decision over Ovince Saint Preux

Q&A

When and why did you start training for fighting? I was visiting the Netherlands after I spent three months in Thailand to train for fun and to visit. And I started training at Golden Glory gym, where I met Alistair Overeem. He started helping me a lot and we became close. He took me everywhere for training while he was getting ready for his NYE fight. Then he asked me why I don't fight (I never thought of it) and that I should come back and he'll arrange an amateur fight for me. I came back did a full training camp with him while he was preparing for Remy Bonjasky until my fight. I won by KO and I loved it and that's how it started.
What ranks and titles have you held? WKN - Valhalla battle of the Vikings, tournament champion, Lions FC heavyweight champion 
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Now the real work can start.
What was your job before you started fighting? I owned a bar and was a personal trainer for a bit
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? Few BJJ tournaments 
Specific accomplishments in pro competition? 5-0 in pro kickboxing 
Favorite grappling technique: Arm triangle 
Favorite Striking technique: Left hook-low kick