The UFC’s debut in Busan, South Korea has added a little European flavor.
Light heavyweights Volkan Oezdemir and Aleksander Rakic have been announced for the UFC’s next trip to South Korea. UFC Busan will see the pair collide in a promising scrap, as per an official announcement from the promotion Friday. The fight pits a former title challenger in Oezdemir against a rising contender in Rakic, and could boost the winner into the title conversation.
For Rakic (12-1), it’s the Austrian’s biggest fight to date. The 27-year old has not lost since his pro debut in 2011, rattling off twelve straight wins, four under the UFC banner. Most recently, he dispatched Jimi Manuwa. A fifth straight win in the company, over a former title challenger in Oezdemir, could put him near the front of the line in a division Jon Jones has all but cleaned out.
As for Oezdemir (16-4), the Swiss fighter known as ‘No Time’ got back on the right track with a knockout of Ilir Latifi at UFC Uruguay last month. A win over Rakic would certainly give him a boost, and while two victories isn’t about to put him in a fight with Jones, it’s easy to forget that his previous title shot came against Daniel Cormier, making him a fresh face for ‘Bones.’ In other words, a couple of big wins, and he could earn himself another chance at gold.
UFC Busan (UFC Fight Night 165 / UFC on ESPN+ 23) takes place December 21, 2019 at the Sajik Arena in Busan, South Korea. It will be the final event of the year for the promotion.
