Volkan Oezdemir called for it, and the UFC has granted his wish. The promotion announced on Wednesday that Oezdemir would fight Jimi Manuwa in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 214. Oezdemir (14-1), who’s fresh off a UFC Fight Night 109 upset win over surging Misha Cirkunov this past weekend, called out Manuwa (17-2) for […]
Volkan Oezdemir called for it, and the UFC has granted his wish. The promotion announced on Wednesday that Oezdemir would fight Jimi Manuwa in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 214.
Oezdemir (14-1), who’s fresh off a UFC Fight Night 109 upset win over surging Misha Cirkunov this past weekend, called out Manuwa (17-2) for a fight. This bout will most likely serve as the co-main event as well be on standby if something happens to UFC 214’s main event between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones.
This is a key bout for the light heavyweight division as many believed that Manuwa should have received a title shot. However, those plans were put on hold for the grudge match between Jones and Cormier. This will likely be a #1 contender fight as Manuwa is currently ranked third while Oezdemir is ranked 5th in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings.
Oezdemir is currently on a four fight winning streak and is coming off a win over Cirkunov, whom he defeated 28-second knockout. On the flip side, Manuwa is a top contender in the division with recent back-to-back knockout wins over Ovince Saint Preux and Corey Anderson.
UFC 214 is set to take place on Saturday, July 29th at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. A portion of the preliminary card will air on the promotion’s streaming service, UFC Fight Pass, while the rest of the prelims will air on FOX Sports 1. The main card will air on PPV (pay-per-view). Cormier is set to defend the light heavyweight title against Jones in the main event. The bout order for the event has yet to be finalized, but you can see the updated card here:
Champ Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones – for light heavyweight title
The light heavyweight division was once the UFC’s marquee weight class. Home to stars such as Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the 205 pounders once presented must see action for fight fans. That, however, is no longer the case. In fact, it’s far from it, as the light heavyweight division […]
The light heavyweight division was once the UFC’s marquee weight class. Home to stars such as Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the 205 pounders once presented must see action for fight fans. That, however, is no longer the case. In fact, it’s far from it, as the light heavyweight division has been struggling for quite some time now.
Jon Jones, the very best light heavyweight on the planet, has only competed once since January 2015 due to his own actions outside of the cage. Multiple drug test failures as well as legal issues have not only kept “Bones” out of action, but also caused the UFC to strip him of his long held light heavyweight strap in 2015.
Jones’ issues outside of the cage led former Olympian Daniel Cormier, who Jones beat quite handily at UFC 182, to seize an opportunity and secure the vacant 205-pound title at UFC 187 with a submission victory over Anthony Johnson. Since then, “DC” has defended the title just twice, beating No. 1-ranked Alexander Gustafsson in a five round war at UFC 192 and once again submitting Johnson, who retired after the rematch, at UFC 210 earlier this year.
Now, Cormier and Jones, two elite level athletes who possess one of the deepest rivalries the sport has ever seen, are finally scheduled to rematch at UFC 214 on July 29, 2017 in Anaheim, California. Whether or not the rematch actually comes to fruition this time is of course up in the air, but it remains one of the most anticipated bouts the UFC could put on.
After that fight, however, the light heavyweight division appears to be quite dull, lacking in legitimate contenders and recognizable stars. In reality, it has seemed that the gap between Cormier, Jones and the rest of the division is simply too large for any legitimate threats to emerge. And that may be the case, but UFC Fight Night 109, which took place yesterday (May 28, 2017) from Stockholm, Sweden, certainly added new life to a division in desperate need of it.
The main event featured a pivotal bout between Gustafsson and No. 2-ranked Glover Teixeira, with the winner likely earning himself a shot at the winner of UFC 214’s main event between Cormier and Jones. And the result? A one-sided showcase for Gustafsson in front of his hometown fans. “The Mauler”, using fluent movement and effortless combinations, picked the Brazilian apart with a barrage of brutal uppercuts and straight right hands, finally finishing off the resilient Teixeira with a vicious combination in the fifth and final round.
Photo by Per Haljestam for USA TODAY Sports.
In a year where not only the light heavyweight division is struggling, but the UFC as a whole is as well, the outcome of UFC Fight Night 109’s main event was likely a beneficial one for the UFC.
Sure, Gustafsson has lost to both Cormier and Jones, but his fights with both men were instant classics. “The Mauler” gave Jones the stiffest test of his career at UFC 165, pushing “Bones” to his limits in a five round slug fest. In fact, many still consider the bout to be the best title fight in divisional history and if it weren’t for a late comeback from Jones, the Swedish striker would’ve walked away with the title. The same could be said for Gustafsson’s fight with Cormier, as “The Mauler” had “DC” badly hurt before losing a closely contested split-decision.
The silver lining here is that a rematch between Gustafsson and either man would be an intriguing fight. Specifically, a rematch between Gustafsson and Jones, as it’s been clamored for for years now.
Perhaps the division is led by a three man race, but there are signs that things may be headed upward. For example, No. 5-ranked Volkan Oezdemir scored a brutal knockout victory over the previously surging Misha Cirkunov yesterday, calling out No. 3-ranked Jimi Manuwa, who’s scored back-to-back stoppage victories of his own, in the aftermath. Manuwa has also stirred up a rivalry with Cormier in recent memory.
In the end, UFC Fight Night 109 was a win for the light heavyweight division. With two huge rematches looming and a few contenders slowly emerging, the 205-pound class has gained some new life for the time being.
Whether or not this results in a complete resurrection for the division remains to be seen, but the light heavyweights could once again provide fight fans with an intriguing attraction in the near future.
For Volkan Oezdemir, sometimes it’s as simple as connecting. That was the case yesterday (May 28) inside the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. Oezdemir took on Misha Cirkunov in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 109. Cirkunov came in with a ton of hype surrounding him due to his potential. Oezdemir derailed that train […]
For Volkan Oezdemir, sometimes it’s as simple as connecting. That was the case yesterday (May 28) inside the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. Oezdemir took on Misha Cirkunov in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 109. Cirkunov came in with a ton of hype surrounding him due to his potential. Oezdemir derailed that train […]
UFC Fight Night 109 emanated from the Ericcson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, today (Sunday, May 28, 2017). The main event pit two top-five 205-pounders against each other as Alexander Gustafsson returned from a year-long layoff to battle Glover Teixeira. The light heavyweights duked it out for a potential crack at the winner of July’s Cormier-Jones […]
UFC Fight Night 109 emanated from the Ericcson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden, today (Sunday, May 28, 2017). The main event pit two top-five 205-pounders against each other as Alexander Gustafsson returned from a year-long layoff to battle Glover Teixeira. The light heavyweights duked it out for a potential crack at the winner of July’s Cormier-Jones rematch.
Gustafsson largely pitched a shutout. He exhibited a worrying habit of turning his back and running when Teixeira was able to close him down on the fence, occasionally eating a series of hooks as he exited out. But the real story of the fight ended up being Gustafsson’s hellacious uppercut, which he landed early and often. Teixeira showed inhuman toughness, getting dropped in the second by a blistering combination. But Gustafsson kept wracking up damage. In the fifth, Gustafsson uncorked three straight uppercuts that had Teixeira out on his feet. A final right hand sent the Brazilian crashing to the canvas, forcing referee Marc Goddard to intervene on his behalf.
In the aftermath, Gustafsson proposed to his girlfriend and new mother of his child in the Octagon, and she said “yes”.
The co-headliner was another pivotal battle at 205 pounds, as ranked up-and-comers Misha Cirkunov and Volkan Oezdemir tried to take the next step to title contention. Many believed Oezdemir didn’t deserve his #5 ranking after sneaking by Ovince St. Preux in his only UFC bout, but he quieted the doubters in less than a minute. Cirkunov charged forward between a stream of lefts and rights, backing Oezdemir to the fence. But when the fighters engaged in close quarters, a short right hand behind the ear felled the Canadian prospect. Cirkunov collapsed at Oezdemir’s feet, who closed the show with a few follow-up punches.
See how Twitter reacted to these brutal light heavyweight duels below:
Misha Cirkunov had his lights put out by Volkan Oezdemir in a stunner. The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 109 featured a tilt between two light heavyweight prospects. Cirkunov and Oezdemir were the two sharing the Octagon inside the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. Cirkunov wasted little time engaging. He swarmed Oezdemir, but got […]
Misha Cirkunov had his lights put out by Volkan Oezdemir in a stunner.
The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 109 featured a tilt between two light heavyweight prospects. Cirkunov and Oezdemir were the two sharing the Octagon inside the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden.
Cirkunov wasted little time engaging. He swarmed Oezdemir, but got drilled with a shot and crumbled to the canvas. Oezdemir finished him off, leaving fans stunned.
Final Result: Volkan Oezdemir def. Misha Cirkunov via TKO (Punches) – R1, 0:28
Misha Cirkunov had his lights put out by Volkan Oezdemir in a stunner. The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 109 featured a tilt between two light heavyweight prospects. Cirkunov and Oezdemir were the two sharing the Octagon inside the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. Cirkunov wasted little time engaging. He swarmed Oezdemir, but got […]
Misha Cirkunov had his lights put out by Volkan Oezdemir in a stunner.
The co-main event of UFC Fight Night 109 featured a tilt between two light heavyweight prospects. Cirkunov and Oezdemir were the two sharing the Octagon inside the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden.
Cirkunov wasted little time engaging. He swarmed Oezdemir, but got drilled with a shot and crumbled to the canvas. Oezdemir finished him off, leaving fans stunned.
Final Result: Volkan Oezdemir def. Misha Cirkunov via TKO (Punches) – R1, 0:28
