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Destroys Johnny Walker
Oezdemir defeated Johnny Walker via KO (punches) at 2:28 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
Easy work. Many were wondering if Volkan would have issues getting inside against his taller, longer opponent, but he simply walked right up the middle and blasted Walker with repeated power shots for which Johnny had zero answer. Oezdemir tallied a knockdown a couple minutes in before Walker finally worked his way back to his feet. Volkan took his time and landed a few more massive shots, finally finishing his opponent off and earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus in the process. Oezdemir has shown in the past he's not on the same level as the top guys at 185 pounds, but he's firmly in that second tier of guys. He's 3-1 in his past four fights dating back to July 2022.
Easy work. Many were wondering if Volkan would have issues getting inside against his taller, longer opponent, but he simply walked right up the middle and blasted Walker with repeated power shots for which Johnny had zero answer. Oezdemir tallied a knockdown a couple minutes in before Walker finally worked his way back to his feet. Volkan took his time and landed a few more massive shots, finally finishing his opponent off and earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus in the process. Oezdemir has shown in the past he's not on the same level as the top guys at 185 pounds, but he's firmly in that second tier of guys. He's 3-1 in his past four fights dating back to July 2022.
Set to face Johnny Walker
Oezdemir will take on Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for June 22 in Saudi Arabia, UFC President Dana White announced Wednesday night.
ANALYSIS
Oezdemir has won two of his last three fights, though the former title contender has been given a lower tier of competition of late. That will change this summer, however, as Walker is an explosive striker that will enter with major height and reach advantages. While Oezdemir is arguably the better all-around fighter and enters with the statistical striking volume edge, he'll have to be exceedingly careful to not leave any openings on the feet, as Walker has the capability to end the proceedings in an instant.
Oezdemir has won two of his last three fights, though the former title contender has been given a lower tier of competition of late. That will change this summer, however, as Walker is an explosive striker that will enter with major height and reach advantages. While Oezdemir is arguably the better all-around fighter and enters with the statistical striking volume edge, he'll have to be exceedingly careful to not leave any openings on the feet, as Walker has the capability to end the proceedings in an instant.
First submission win since 2012
Oezdemir defeated Bogdan Guskov via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:46 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Paris.
ANALYSIS
It took a late-notice replacement opponent in Guskov, but it was nice to see an emphatic performance from Oezdemir for the first time in more than four years. Volkan ducked a punch and landed an early takedown. He allowed Guskov to get back to his feet before cracking him with a huge punch and some follow-up strikes prior to choking him out. It was Volkan's first submission win since 2012. Set to turn 34 years of age in a couple weeks, the days of Oezdemir competing with the best the UFC has to offer at 205 pounds have come and gone. Even with the victory here, Volkan is still sporting just a 4-5 record in his past nine bouts dating back to October 2018.
It took a late-notice replacement opponent in Guskov, but it was nice to see an emphatic performance from Oezdemir for the first time in more than four years. Volkan ducked a punch and landed an early takedown. He allowed Guskov to get back to his feet before cracking him with a huge punch and some follow-up strikes prior to choking him out. It was Volkan's first submission win since 2012. Set to turn 34 years of age in a couple weeks, the days of Oezdemir competing with the best the UFC has to offer at 205 pounds have come and gone. Even with the victory here, Volkan is still sporting just a 4-5 record in his past nine bouts dating back to October 2018.
No longer fighting Murzakanov
Oezdemir will no longer fight Azamat Murzakanov at UFC Paris on Sept. 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Oezdemir will now fight Bogdan Guskov after Murzakanov was forced out of the bout. Guskov stands one-inch taller than Oezdemir and will be making his UFC debut.
Oezdemir will now fight Bogdan Guskov after Murzakanov was forced out of the bout. Guskov stands one-inch taller than Oezdemir and will be making his UFC debut.
Scheduled to fight Murzakanov
Oezdemir is scheduled to fight Azamat Murzakanov at UFC Paris on Sept. 2, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Should this fight go through, it will be Oezdemir's first of 2023. He would have spent almost a year recovering following his decision loss to Nikita Krylov at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Oezdemir, No. 8 in the UFC's light heavyweight rankings, is 1-3 across his last four fights. He would be defending his position against No. 11 Murzakanov, who is 3-0 in the UFC and undefeated across his 13 pro fights.
Should this fight go through, it will be Oezdemir's first of 2023. He would have spent almost a year recovering following his decision loss to Nikita Krylov at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Oezdemir, No. 8 in the UFC's light heavyweight rankings, is 1-3 across his last four fights. He would be defending his position against No. 11 Murzakanov, who is 3-0 in the UFC and undefeated across his 13 pro fights.