UFC Confirms: Volkan Oezdemir Gets 16-month Suspension due to Failed Doping Test
Volkan Oezdemir has received a reduced ban for doping.
Yesterday, the UFC released the official statement about suspension of the light heavyweight contender Volkan "No Time" Oezdemir. CSAD found the banned substance erythropoietin in both urine and blood samples. A fighter ranked number eight in the light heavyweight division has been handed a 16-month suspension, which he accepted without denying what he did.
Volkan Oezdemir's Ban Reduced for Cooperation
After being contacted by CSAD, Oezdemir didn't deny that he used a banned substance. He provided all the information and evidence needed for further investigation, as well as the details of why and how he got the EPO. As the UFC stated, he showed private messages with a pharmacist who contacted him after his most recent fight in November of last year.
The chat between them testifies that Volkan did know what he was doing, but the pharmacist promised him an improvement in his performance without a possibility of anyone finding the substance in his urine or blood, which ultimately persuaded the Swiss fighter into taking EPO. After CSAD reviewed the evidence, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) got involved alongside Swiss law enforcement authorities.
Volkan Oezdemir continued to be cooperative, providing the same information and details as before. Since the Swiss fighter was accommodating throughout the whole investigation, CSAD decided that a reduced suspension, in duration of 16 months, was appropriate.
Volkan Oezdemir says Doping Ban Biggest Mistake of Life
After the news, Volkan Oezdemir talked about the situation on his Instagram. In a series of Instagram stories, Volkan explained how he got in contact with the pharmacist, why he took EPO and ultimately admitted that only he is responsible.
"At the end of 2025, I competed in Qatar. A few days later, I was contacted on Instagram by a healthcare professional based in Switzerland. He introduced himself as a supporter and suggested that we meet." Volkov added that the pharmacist told him about his connection with influential people in investments and that he could help him to set himself up after his career is done. After Oezdemir's ankle injury, he met with the pharmacist once again.
"The conversation shifted. He no longer talked about business. but about my recovery. He presented me with a plan that, according to him, would get me back to peak physical condition within two months." The pharmacist showed Volkan the EPO and assured him that no one would be able to trace it in his body. That evening Oezdemir injected the substance into his body, and as he states, that was the biggest mistake of his life.
Volkan Oezdemir Admits to Misdeeds
After his tests came back positive, he decided to confess everything, which paid off in the end, since his suspension got reduced.
"I am sharing how this happened because I need to understand my own actions and because what happened to me can happen to athletes. I let down my sport, my fans, and ultimately myself."
Volkan Oezdemir finished the message by giving an apology to his family, loved ones, and the fans.
