From the Verge of Release: Kaan Ofli's Amazing UFC Comeback

From the precipice of being cut from the promotion, to emerging as a prospect-in-the-making in the featherweight division, Australia’s Kaan Ofli has completely revitalized his UFC career. 

Kaan Ofli's Run on The Ultimate Fighter  

Racking up a stellar record of 11-2-1 on the regional scene, Ofli gained prominence as an international standout by winning the Hex Fight Series 145-lb title. However, he wouldn’t get the chance to defend it, as the dominant Aussie was soon invited to compete on the 32nd season of the credentialed reality television show The Ultimate Fighter.

Backed by an amazing eight-bout win streak, “Genghis” was viewed as a strong favorite to take the competition by storm. For for much of his warpath through the bracket, the 30-year-old proved to be just that by blowing through his first two opponents, future UFC fighter Nathan Fletcher and South African combatant Roedie Roets.

His most notable moment of the season came against the latter after choking out Roets in just 31 seconds, handing “Relentless” the first submission defeat of his MMA journey. 

Kaan Ofli's Start in UFC, Subsequent Losing Skid

This pair of triumphs led Ofli to the Meta Apex in Enterprise, NV at UFC on ESPN 62, where his final adversary of the featherweight bracket, Mairon Santos, waited for him. Despite demonstrating truly world-class talent on the show, the Melbourne native found himself utterly outclassed by the Brazilian, with Santos achieving a devastating second-round knockout to both win The Ultimate Fighter and deliver him his first professional setback in nearly a decade. 

Kaan Ofli's next foray into the Octagon didn’t play out well either. Making his second company appearance at UFC Fight Night 250, Ofli came to blows with touted Tajikistan representative Muhammad Naimov. Looking a step behind the entire fight, the TUF runner up was thoroughly decimated by “Hillman,” losing a one-sided unanimous decision with a trio of 30-27s on all three judge’s scorecards. 

Kaan Ofli’s Resurgence

Taking more than eight months off following his trouncing to Naimov, Ofli made his return to action at UFC Fight Night 261, locking horns with Ricardo Ramos, who had already competed in 14 tilts in the organization over the last eight years. Having come up short in his previous two trips to the cage, another loss for the Aussie would have likely spelledthe end of his time in the UFC.

Stunning the South American crowd, Oflu put on a vintage performance against the hometown hero, choking out the BJJ black belt with a rare standing rear-naked choke to finally realize his first victory in the promotion. 

Kaan Ofli Looking to Build Off Baku Win Next Time Out

With momentum at last on his side, Kaan Ofli has built himself back up to become a budding potential prospect at featherweight. Competing twice so far in 2026, the Australian has picked up two wins in a row. Kicking off the year in a big way at UFC 325, he pushed back Chinese athlete Yizha, besting him by majority decision.

The scorecards would not be needed for his latest Octagon bout, however, as Ofli impressively stopped Contender Series veteran Javier Reyes at UFC Baku. Dominating the Columbian throughout the whole scrap, it only took “Genghis” four minutes to submit “Blair” with an impeccable arm triangle choke to record his third straight victory, ending Reye’s previous three-fight win streak.