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). Known by the ring name “No Time,” Oezdemir turned professional in 2010 and has built a reputation as a hard-hitting finisher during a career that has also included stints in Bellator and the European kickboxing circuit. As of November 2024, he is ranked among the top ten light heavyweights in the world by the UFC.
Born and raised in Fribourg, Switzerland, Oezdemir trains out of the Allstars Training Center and represents the Swiss-German fight scene on the global stage. With a kickboxing base and a knockout-oriented style, he has become one of the most recognizable European light heavyweight contenders of his generation.
Early Life and Background
Volkan Oezdemir was born on 19 September 1989 in Fribourg, a city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. He grew up in a multicultural household; Oezdemir has stated that his father is ethnically Kurdish and his mother is ethnically Swiss. This blended heritage shaped his upbringing and gave him a broad worldview from an early age.
During a visit to the Netherlands, Oezdemir befriended Dutch kickboxing star Alistair Overeem, an encounter that sparked his interest in combat sports. He began training at the famed Golden Glory gym, where he developed the kickboxing fundamentals that would later define his style. Before turning to mixed martial arts, he competed in amateur and professional kickboxing, and he also trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to round out his grappling game.
Path to MMA
Oezdemir made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2010, beginning a journey that would take him from regional European shows to the brightest stages in the sport. Over the next several years, he built an unblemished record, going 9-0 as a professional and attracting the attention of major promotions along the way. His blend of kickboxing power and steadily improving grappling made him a unique prospect in the light heavyweight division.
In 2013, Oezdemir earned a contract with Bellator MMA, marking his first entry into a major North American promotion. That opportunity, combined with his undefeated streak, established him as one of Europe’s most promising light heavyweight talents and set the stage for his eventual move to the UFC.
Volkan Oezdemir Career
Early Career (2010-2013)
From 2010 to 2013, Volkan Oezdemir competed primarily on the European regional circuit, where he compiled a perfect 9-0 record as a professional mixed martial artist. During this period, he faced a variety of opponents and showcased his evolving skill set, including finishes by knockout, submission, and decision. His unbeaten run caught the eye of Bellator scouts, leading to his signing with the promotion in 2013.
Bellator MMA (2013-2014)
Volkan Oezdemir made his Bellator debut at Bellator 105 on 25 October 2013, where he defeated Josh Lanier via first-round TKO. The performance announced his arrival in a major promotion and hinted at the finishing ability he would later display on bigger stages.
After dropping to the light heavyweight division, Oezdemir faced Kelly Anundson at Bellator 115 on 4 April 2014, where he suffered his first professional loss via a second-round neck crank submission. With limited opportunities forthcoming from the promotion, Oezdemir and Bellator amicably parted ways, freeing him to pursue other opportunities, including his return to kickboxing with Superkombat in 2014.
UFC Breakthrough (2017-Present)
Volkan Oezdemir was signed by the UFC in 2017 and made an immediate impact. He debuted as a short-notice injury replacement against Ovince St. Preux at UFC Fight Night 104, winning by split decision. Just two fights later, he finished Misha Cirkunov in 28 seconds at UFC Fight Night 109, earning widespread attention for his explosive knockout power.
His star continued to rise at UFC 214 in July 2017, when he knocked out the third-ranked Jimi Manuwa inside the opening minute to earn a Performance of the Night bonus. The win positioned Oezdemir as a sudden title contender, and he was booked to challenge Daniel Cormier for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220 in January 2018, where he was stopped in the second round.
Since that title shot, Oezdemir has remained a fixture in the UFC light heavyweight division, mixing highlight-reel knockouts with hard-fought decisions. Notable victories include a second-round knockout of Ilir Latifi, a decision win over Aleksandar Rakić, a first-round submission of Bogdan Guskov, and a first-round knockout of Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 6 in June 2024. He has also faced top contenders such as Anthony Smith, Dominick Reyes, Jiří Procházka, Magomed Ankalaev, Nikita Krylov, and Carlos Ulberg, continuing to test himself against the division’s elite.
Allstars Training Center Era (2022-Present)
In 2022, Volkan Oezdemir transitioned to the Allstars Training Center, where he continues to prepare for his UFC bouts. He had previously been affiliated with Fight Move Academy, the Blackzilians, and Kill Cliff FC, each stop helping him develop different aspects of his game. Training alongside world-class coaches and sparring partners in Sweden has sharpened his overall game.
Under the Allstars banner, Oezdemir has produced some of the most impressive performances of his UFC tenure. His first-round finish of Bogdan Guskov in September 2023 and his quick knockout of Johnny Walker in June 2024 demonstrated that he remains a serious threat in the light heavyweight division. He is currently riding a strong run of form heading into the latest stretch of his career.
Style and Strengths
Volkan Oezdemir fights from an orthodox stance and relies heavily on his kickboxing base, using sharp boxing combinations and heavy kicks to pressure opponents. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall with a 75-inch reach, he uses his frame well to cut off the cage and deliver fight-ending strikes. While his grappling continues to improve, his finishing instincts inside the first round remain his most dangerous weapon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Oezdemir’s career includes several signature moments, including a 28-second knockout of Misha Cirkunov and a first-round finish of Jimi Manuwa that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He challenged Daniel Cormier for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 220 and has earned multiple Performance of the Night awards throughout his UFC tenure, cementing his reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
Volkan Oezdemir Career Wins
Volkan Oezdemir has compiled 21 professional victories across his mixed martial arts career, with finishes spread across knockouts, submissions, and decisions. He also holds a perfect 5-0 record in professional kickboxing, reflecting his well-rounded striking background.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2017, Volkan Oezdemir has notched multiple memorable victories, including wins over Ovince St. Preux, Misha Cirkunov, Jimi Manuwa, Ilir Latifi, Aleksandar Rakić, Bogdan Guskov, and Johnny Walker. Several of these performances earned him Performance of the Night bonuses, highlighting his finishing ability at the sport’s highest level.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Oezdemir built a 9-0 record on the European regional circuit and posted a 1-1 mark during his time in Bellator. He also maintained a 5-0 professional kickboxing record competing in Superkombat, the largest kickboxing promotion in Europe at the time.
Volkan Oezdemir Family
Family Background and Heritage
Volkan Oezdemir comes from a multicultural family, with his father of Kurdish descent and his mother of Swiss heritage. He was born and raised in Fribourg, in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and that blend of cultures has remained a central part of his identity throughout his career.
Personal Life
Oezdemir currently resides in Fribourg, Switzerland, the same city where he was born and raised. Outside of training and competition, limited public information is available about his personal relationships, as he tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight.
2025 Season Performance
Volkan Oezdemir entered 2025 looking to build on the momentum of his first-round knockout of Johnny Walker at UFC on ABC 6 in June 2024. Despite a setback against Carlos Ulberg at UFC Fight Night 248 in November 2024, he remains a fixture in the UFC light heavyweight rankings and is positioned as a dangerous veteran opponent for any rising contender.
On 22 November 2025, Oezdemir returned to the win column with a first-round knockout of Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night 265, once again showcasing the finishing power that has defined his career. The victory reaffirmed his place among the division’s most experienced strikers and gave him fresh momentum heading into the following stretch of the calendar.
With his standing in the light heavyweight division and his consistent performances inside the Allstars Training Center, Volkan Oezdemir continues to play the role of a gatekeeper and spoiler against the next generation of 205-pound talent. His blend of experience, kickboxing pedigree, and finishing instinct ensures he remains a relevant figure in the UFC light heavyweight landscape.
