A light heavyweight showdown has been booked for this year’s UFC Paris card.
The promotion returns to the Accor Arena in Paris, France on September 2, 2023, the site of their French debut one year ago. When they do, 205’ers Volkan Oezdemir (18-7) and Azamat Murzakanov (13-0) will be in tow, set to throw down in a three-round affair.
Promotion officials announced the match-up on Wednesday.
Incoming Bout!@Volkan_Oezdemir vs Azamat Murzakanov added to #UFCParis!
🎟️ https://t.co/QsbtnZHI06 pic.twitter.com/iKwRnLJSJO
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 21, 2023
The fight finds Oezdemir looking to get back in the win column while fighting for the first time in over ten months. In his last trip to the octagon, “No Time” dropped a three-round decision to Nikita Krylov.
Overall, former light heavyweight title challenger Oezdemir is 1-3 in his last four fights. That stretch includes a win over Paul Craig, and losses against Jiri Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev.
Murzakanov has been perfect in his professional fighting career thus far, and will look to maintain that unbeaten streak at UFC Paris. More importantly, the fight offers the 34-year Russian the opportunity to break into the 205lb top 10. Murzakanov, who has picked up wins over Dustin Jacoby, Devin Clark, and Tafon Nchukwi, is ranked #11 in the weight class.
Oezdemir currently sits at #8 in the division.
UFC Paris is set to be headlined by a heavyweight bout featuring France’s own Ciryl Gane, taking on Serghei Spivac. The following match-ups have been reported for the promotion’s return to France thus far:
- Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac
- Zarah Fairn Dos Santos vs. Hailey Cowan
- Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards
- Volkan Oezdemir vs. Azamat Murzakanov
