Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC Moncton. The road back to a title shot begins for Oezdemir in Canada, but before fight night arrives, let’s see how “No Time” got here.Valhalla: Battle of the Vikings
Oezdemir hadn’t started calling himself “No Time” yet, but it may be safe to say that this night in March 2013 was where it all began. Fighting three times in one night is a brutal and grueling prospect for any fighter, but Oezdemir might not recall it as being too physically taxing, as he defeated Benyaich Mohamed, Angelier Benjamin and David Round in succession. All by knockout. All in the first round. All in under a minute. Oh yeah, the world would soon know the Switzerland native.
Josh Lanier
Oezdemir’s regional success earned him a call from the Bellator promotion, and in October 2013 he made his United States debut against Josh Lanier. It wasn’t a spectacular finish for Oezdemir, but it was decisive, as he ground-and-pounded his way to a first-round win that ended in 3:13.
Ovince Saint Preux (WATCH ON UFC FIGHT PASS)
Following the Lanier bout, Oezdemir went 2-1, but he had been on the sidelines for nearly a year when he got a short notice call to make his UFC debut against Ovince Saint Preux. Despite his talent and status as a prospect to watch, Oezdemir was rightfully an underdog to OSP, but three rounds later, he had a win and a fresh start in the biggest show in the sport. Now everybody wanted to be on the Volkan Oezdemir bandwagon.
Misha Cirkunov (WATCH ON UFC FIGHT PASS)
Misha Cirkunov was on an eight-fight winning streak that included four UFC wins (and finishes) as he entered his May 2017 bout against Oezdemir. Just 28 seconds later, the streak came to an end at the hands of Oezdemir, who followed up his debut win in devastating style, throwing himself into the 205-pound title picture in the process.
Jimi Manuwa (WATCH ON UFC FIGHT PASS)
Put two of the premier knockout artists in the Octagon together and someone likely isn’t hearing the final horn. But few expected Oezdemir to get Jimi Manuwa out of there in just 42 seconds. The spectacular Performance of the Night finish earned Oezdemir a shot at Daniel Cormier’s light heavyweight crown, and while he came up short against “DC,” a win over Smith on October 27 can put him right back in the title fight conversation.
