Volkan Oezdemir Bio
Volkan Oezdemir (born 19 September 1989) is a Swiss professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2010, he is widely recognized for his knockout power and has compiled a record that places him among the top contenders in his weight class. As of 26 November 2024, he is ranked #9 in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings.
Born and raised in Switzerland to a Turkish-Kurdish father and a Swiss mother, Oezdemir built his fighting identity between Europe and the United States, training at several elite gyms throughout his career. Known by the nickname “No Time,” he has shared the cage with some of the biggest names in the sport and continues to be an active and dangerous presence in the UFC Light Heavyweight division.
Early Life and Background
Volkan Oezdemir was born on 19 September 1989 in Fribourg, a city located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. He grew up in a multicultural household, with his father being of Turkish-Kurdish ethnicity and his mother being Swiss. This dual heritage gave Oezdemir an early connection to both European cultures and helped shape his worldview as he pursued athletics from a young age.
Oezdemir’s introduction to combat sports came through his early training in martial arts, which later expanded into amateur and professional kickboxing, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His drive to improve as a fighter eventually took him to the Netherlands, where he befriended Dutch kickboxer Alistair Overeem during a visit and began training at the renowned Golden Glory gym. This period proved formative, exposing him to high-level coaching and international competition.
Standing at 185 cm with a reach of 191 cm, Oezdemir developed the physical attributes that would later define his fighting style. His commitment to cross-training across multiple disciplines gave him a well-rounded foundation, ultimately paving the way for his transition into the world of mixed martial arts.
Path to Mixed Martial Arts
Oezdemir made his professional MMA debut in 2010, competing primarily in the European circuit. He quickly built an impressive unbeaten streak, amassing a record of 9–0 before being signed by the American promotion Bellator. His early success demonstrated a rare blend of striking power and grappling ability, drawing attention from major organizations looking for fresh talent in the light heavyweight division.
During this development phase, Oezdemir also maintained a professional kickboxing career, compiling an undefeated 5–0 record. He made his kickboxing debut in 2014 with SUPERKOMBAT, the largest kickboxing promotion in Europe based in Romania, competing in their heavyweight division. His success in both striking and grappling set him apart from many of his peers.
His time at Bellator allowed him to face tougher competition, including high-profile bouts that tested his evolving skill set. After limited opportunities with the promotion, Oezdemir parted ways amicably and entered the free-agent market, eventually catching the attention of the UFC.
Volkan Oezdemir Career
Early Career (2010–2016)
Volkan Oezdemir’s professional career began in 2010 on the European MMA circuit, where he compiled a perfect 9–0 record. His early fights showcased his knockout power and submission skills, establishing him as a promising prospect in the light heavyweight division. During this period, he trained with several teams, including a stint with the Blackzilians in 2015, gaining valuable experience training alongside some of the best fighters in the world.
In 2013, Oezdemir signed with Bellator MMA, making his promotional debut at Bellator 105 on 25 October 2013 against Josh Lanier. He won the fight via first-round TKO, making an immediate impact. However, after dropping to the light heavyweight division and facing a loss to Kelly Anundson via neck crank submission at Bellator 115 in April 2014, his momentum stalled. With few fights being offered, Oezdemir and Bellator amicably voided his contract, allowing him to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
UFC Breakthrough (2017–2018)
Oezdemir signed with the UFC in 2017 and made a stunning promotional debut as a short-notice injury replacement against Ovince St. Preux on 4 February 2017 at UFC Fight Night 104. Despite the late notice, Oezdemir defeated St. Preux by split decision, immediately announcing himself as a force in the light heavyweight division.
His momentum continued when he faced Misha Cirkunov on 28 May 2017 at UFC Fight Night 109, delivering a knockout just 28 seconds into the first round. The victory earned him widespread attention and set up a high-profile bout against third-ranked Jimi Manuwa at UFC 214 on 29 July 2017. Oezdemir won that fight via knockout in the opening minute, earning a Performance of the Night bonus and solidifying his status as a rising contender.
The pinnacle of his early UFC run came on 20 January 2018, when he faced Daniel Cormier for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220. Although Oezdemir lost the bout via TKO in the second round, the title fight cemented his place among the elite in the division. Subsequent setbacks followed, including a submission loss to Anthony Smith and a controversial split decision loss to Dominick Reyes.
Recent UFC Era (2019–Present)
Oezdemir rebounded in 2019 with a series of notable performances. After a knockout victory over Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 156, which earned him another Performance of the Night award, he followed it up with a split decision win over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC Fight Night 165 in December 2019. These victories demonstrated his resilience and ability to compete with top-tier opponents.
In April 2020, Oezdemir revealed that he had renewed his contract with the UFC, committing his future to the promotion. The following years featured a mix of victories and losses, including a knockout loss to promotional newcomer Jiří Procházka at UFC 251 and a unanimous decision loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267. However, Oezdemir continued to demonstrate his finishing ability, submitting Bogdan Guskov via rear-naked choke in the first round at UFC Fight Night 226 in September 2023.
His recent form has been strong. On 22 June 2024, Oezdemir faced Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 6 and won by knockout in the first round, earning yet another Performance of the Night bonus. After a unanimous decision loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC Fight Night 248 in November 2024, he bounced back with a first-round knockout of Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night 265 on 22 November 2025, further proving his continued relevance in the division.
Driving Style and Strengths
While best known as a mixed martial artist rather than a motorsport driver, Oezdemir’s fighting style is defined by his explosive striking power and finishing instinct. Fighting from an orthodox stance, he possesses a significant reach advantage at 191 cm, which he uses effectively to control distance and land damaging combinations. His kickboxing background gives him crisp technique, while his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training allows him to threaten submissions when the fight goes to the ground. Training with the Allstars Training Center has further refined his well-rounded skill set.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Oezdemir’s career was his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenge against Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 in January 2018. His rapid rise from promotional debutant to title contender within a single year remains one of the fastest ascents in modern UFC light heavyweight history. Additionally, his collection of multiple Performance of the Night awards highlights his reputation as one of the most exciting finishers in the division.
Volkan Oezdemir Career Wins
Volkan Oezdemir has compiled an impressive professional record across mixed martial arts and kickboxing, establishing himself as a versatile and dangerous competitor. His MMA career includes victories by knockout, submission, and decision, with a total of 21 wins in 29 professional bouts. His kickboxing record stands undefeated at 5–0, further demonstrating his striking pedigree.
UFC Highlights
Throughout his UFC tenure, Oezdemir has secured several memorable victories, including his 28-second knockout of Misha Cirkunov, his opening-minute finish of Jimi Manuwa, and his recent first-round knockouts of Johnny Walker and Alonzo Menifield. His unanimous decision win over Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 208 in July 2022 and his second-round knockout of Ilir Latifi are also notable highlights, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure against ranked opposition.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the UFC, Oezdemir’s early career featured a perfect 9–0 run on the European MMA circuit and an undefeated 5–0 record in professional kickboxing with SUPERKOMBAT. His Bellator debut TKO victory over Josh Lanier marked his arrival on the international stage and set the tone for his future success.
| Division | Wins | Losses | Total Bouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC Light Heavyweight | 13 | 6 | 19 |
| Pre-UFC / Bellator / Regional | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Kickboxing (SUPERKOMBAT) | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Volkan Oezdemir Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Volkan Oezdemir comes from a multicultural family rooted in Switzerland. His father is of Turkish-Kurdish ethnicity, while his mother is Swiss. This blend of cultures has played a significant role in shaping his identity and his approach to competition. While details about his parents and any siblings are not widely documented, his heritage remains an important part of his personal story.
Personal Life
Oezdemir currently resides in Fribourg, Switzerland, where he was born and raised. He is known by the nickname “No Time,” a moniker that reflects his aggressive and efficient fighting style. Throughout his career, he has trained with several prestigious teams, including Golden Glory, the Blackzilians, Kill Cliff FC, Fight Move Academy, and currently the Allstars Training Center. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly confirmed at this time.
2025 Season Performance
Volkan Oezdemir’s 2025 campaign in the UFC Light Heavyweight division has been marked by his continued presence in the rankings and his ability to finish fights. Coming off a strong first-round knockout of Johnny Walker in June 2024, Oezdemir entered the year looking to build momentum and climb back into title contention. His recent performances have demonstrated that he remains a dangerous opponent for any fighter in the division.
On 22 November 2025, Oezdemir secured a first-round knockout victory over Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night 265, adding another finish to his highlight reel. This win reaffirmed his finishing ability and positioned him as a fighter to watch in the latter half of the year. His training at the Allstars Training Center continues to play a key role in his preparation and development.
Looking ahead, Oezdemir’s goal is to continue competing at the highest level and work his way toward another title shot. With his combination of experience, knockout power, and technical growth, he remains a credible threat in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see what the next chapter holds for the Swiss knockout artist.