Volkan Oezdemir showcased his grappling skills at UFC Fight Night 226, submitting Bogdan Guskov with an impressive rear-naked choke in the first round. The light heavyweight division matchup took place on July 17, 2022, in the headline bout of the evening. Oezdemir has been on an incredible run since joining the UFC in 2017, and this victory marks yet another feather in his cap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FdNqfXfgSI
Oezdemir’s Dominant Performance
Swiss fighter Volkan Oezdemir wasted no time in taking control of the fight against Russia’s Bogdan Guskov. Within the first minute, Oezdemir had secured a takedown and began working from top position, landing heavy ground and pound strikes. Guskov was able to briefly scramble back to his feet, but Oezdemir immediately grabbed hold of him and pulled him back to the mat, never allowing Guskov a chance to recover or get back into the fight.
As Guskov desperately tried to defend himself, Oezdemir seized the opportunity to take his opponent’s back. From there, he meticulously worked to secure a rear-naked choke, eventually forcing Guskov to tap out at 4:27 of the first round. The submission win is Oezdemir’s first since his UFC debut in February 2017 and a testament to the evolution of his skillset.
Implications for the Light Heavyweight Division
With this victory, Oezdemir continues to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. The win over Guskov marks his fifth straight inside the Octagon, and he has yet to be defeated in the promotion. This impressive streak includes knockout victories over world-class fighters such as Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa, as well as a unanimous decision win against former title challenger Ilir Latifi.
The future looks bright for Oezdemir, as this latest performance only adds to his growing resume and further solidifies his position among the division’s elite. With the light heavyweight division currently in a state of flux following the retirement of champion Jon Jones, Oezdemir’s continued success could very well place him in line for a title shot sooner rather than later. As the division begins to take shape in the post-Jones era, expect Oezdemir to be a major player in the race for the coveted 205-pound belt.