Volkan Oezdemir (born September 19, 1989) is a Swiss professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and former kickboxer currently competing in the Light heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Oezdemir has been a pro since 2010, and formerly competed for Bellator MMA. As a kickboxer, he competed for Superkombat Fighting Championship in their heavyweight division.

Top ranked UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem introduced Volkan Oezdemir to the sport while training together.

“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 told UFC.com

“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.”

Oezdemir recently made headlines for his felony assault of a man in Florida. He’s still officially set to face UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 220.

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