Volkan Oezdemir, a name that resonates with MMA fans around the globe, has carved out a significant place for himself in the world of mixed martial arts.
Known for his explosive fighting style and quick finishes, Oezdemir has been a prominent figure in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
In this article, you will know Volkan Oezdemir’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Volkan Oezdemir’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Volkan Oezdemir |
| Birth Date | September 19, 1989 |
| Birth Place | Fribourg, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Ethnicity | Kurdish (father) |
| Height | 6’2″ / 187.96 cm |
| Weight | 206 lbs / 93.44 kg |
| Team | Allstars Training Center |
| Pro Debut | 2010 |
| Occupation Before MMA | Bar owner, Personal trainer |
Volkan Oezdemir was born on September 19, 1989, in Fribourg, Switzerland.
Growing up in a multicultural household, with a Kurdish father from Turkey and a Swiss mother, Oezdemir embraced both cultures.
Early Career
His unique background has played a significant role in shaping his identity and approach to life.
Oezdemir’s journey into combat sports began in his teenage years when he trained in Muay Thai.
This initial foray into martial arts laid the foundation for his future career in MMA.
He began his professional MMA career in 2010, securing a first-round TKO victory in his debut fight.
Professional Career
Volkan Oezdemir made his UFC debut on February 4, 2017, against Ovince Saint Preux.
Winning by split decision, he announced his arrival in the world’s premier MMA organization.
Oezdemir’s aggressive fighting style and ability to finish fights quickly earned him the nickname “No Time.”
His rapid ascent in the UFC ranks led to a title shot against Daniel Cormier at UFC 220.
Although he lost the fight, Oezdemir’s performance solidified his status as a top contender in the light heavyweight division.
Wife
Volkan Oezdemir is married to his longtime girlfriend, Bruna, as of July 18, 2024. The couple had a civil wedding ceremony in Switzerland.
Volkan Oezdemir’s Net Worth Details
Volkan Oezdemir’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million as of 2025.
Contracts
- UFC Contract: Oezdemir renewed his contract with the UFC in April 2020.
- Fight Contract: He faced Johnny Walker on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.
- Upcoming Fight: Oezdemir is scheduled to fight Daniel Cormier, but the contract details have not yet been finalized.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Date | Purse ($) | Performance Bonus ($) | Total Earnings ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC on ABC 6 | Johnny Walker | June 22, 2024 | 180,000 | 0 | 180,000 |
| UFC 220 | Daniel Cormier | January 20, 2018 | 350,000 | 0 | 350,000 |
| UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie | Ovince Saint Preux | February 4, 2017 | 100,000 | 50,000 | 150,000 |
Endorsements
- Venum Sponsorship: While there is no direct information about Oezdemir’s endorsement deals, his opponent, Johnny Walker, earned $131,000, including money from the Venum sponsorship, for their fight.
Fight Stats
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 20–7 | Johnny Walker | KO (punch) | UFC on ABC 6 | June 22, 2024 | 1 | 2:28 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 19–7 | Bogdan Guskov | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night 226 | September 2, 2023 | 1 | 3:46 | Paris, France | |
| Loss | 18–7 | Nikita Krylov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 280 | October 22, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 18–6 | Paul Craig | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 208 | July 23, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 17–6 | Magomed Ankalaev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 267 | October 30, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 17–5 | Jiří Procházka | KO (punch) | UFC 251 | July 12, 2020 | 2 | 0:49 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 17–4 | Aleksandar Rakić | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night 165 | December 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Busan, South Korea | |
| Win | 16–4 | Ilir Latifi | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night 156 | August 10, 2019 | 2 | 4:31 | Montevideo, Uruguay | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 15–4 | Dominick Reyes | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night 147 | March 16, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 15–3 | Anthony Smith | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night 138 | October 27, 2018 | 3 | 4:26 | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | |
| Loss | 15–2 | Daniel Cormier | TKO (punches) | UFC 220 | January 20, 2018 | 2 | 2:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–1 | Jimi Manuwa | KO (punches) | UFC 214 | July 29, 2017 | 1 | 0:42 | Anaheim, California, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 14–1 | Misha Cirkunov | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night 109 | May 28, 2017 | 1 | 0:28 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 13–1 | Ovince Saint Preux | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night 104 | February 4, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States |
FAQs
1. What is Volkan Oezdemir’s nationality and ethnicity?
Volkan Oezdemir is Swiss, born in Fribourg, Switzerland, on September 19, 1989. His father is Kurdish from northeastern Turkey, and his mother is Swiss. He embraces both cultures but identifies closely with his Swiss nationality.
2. What is Volkan Oezdemir’s MMA record?
Volkan Oezdemir has a professional MMA record of 20 wins and 8 losses as of March 2025. His victories include 13 by knockout, 2 by submission, and 5 by decision. He has also suffered losses via knockout (2), submission (2), and decision (4).
3. What nickname does Volkan Oezdemir use in MMA, and why?
Volkan Oezdemir is nicknamed “No Time” due to his ability to finish fights quickly. He has achieved 12 first-round wins in his career, including two UFC victories within seconds.
4. Has Volkan Oezdemir competed in kickboxing?
Yes, Volkan Oezdemir has competed professionally in kickboxing, holding an undefeated record of 5 wins. He fought in the Superkombat Fighting Championship’s heavyweight division before transitioning to MMA.
5. What was Volkan Oezdemir’s most significant UFC fight?
Oezdemir’s most notable UFC fight was against Daniel Cormier for the light heavyweight championship at UFC 220 in January 2018. He lost the bout via second-round TKO but made history as the first Swiss fighter to compete for a UFC title.
6. Who is Volkan Oezdemir married to?
Volkan Oezdemir is married to Bruna Oezdemir. The couple tied the knot in July 2023 after announcing their engagement earlier that year. Bruna has been a supportive presence throughout his career.
7. What teams has Volkan Oezdemir trained with?
Oezdemir has trained with several teams, including Golden Glory, Combat Club, Kill Cliff FC, and Allstars Training Center. His training experiences have contributed significantly to his development as a fighter.
8. What achievements does Volkan Oezdemir have in the UFC?
Volkan Oezdemir has earned three “Performance of the Night” bonuses in the UFC and was named “Newcomer of the Year” in 2017 due to his impressive debut and early victories.
9. Why did Volkan Oezdemir take a break from fighting?
Oezdemir took a 19-month hiatus from MMA between 2014 and 2016 due to dissatisfaction with low pay from European promotions. During this period, he worked various jobs before joining The Blackzilians team in Florida.
10. What endorsements does Volkan Oezdemir have?
Oezdemir has endorsed brands such as BIWI SA, Blockasset, Antonova Payerne SA, and Allstars Training Center through social media campaigns. These partnerships reflect his growing popularity as a fighter and public figure.
