The UFC crowned a new light heavyweight champion on Saturday night, and in three weeks time a former title challenger will be back in the cage to restart his quest for another title shot.
#7 ranked contender Volkan Oezdemir is set to take on #9 ranked Nikita Krylov in the co-main event of the UFC’s October 17th show in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The entire card will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Oezdemir (17-5) is looking to bounce back from a brutal knockout loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 251. Prior to that defeat, he earned wins over Ilir Latifi and rising prospect Aleksandar Rakic, but he is 2-4 in his last six dating back to his unsuccessful title challenge versus Daniel Cormier.