UFC 280 is looking like one of the most stacked cards in the promotion’s history. Two title fights are booked for the card and several more banger matchups have already been announced. Today, the promotion announced another solid matchup between top light heavyweights.
Former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir (18-6) will take on Nikita Krylov (28-9) at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Both of these men just fought at UFC London and Krylov called for this matchup after he won his fight.
Krylov took on Alexander Gustafsson and ran through him in the first round. After the fight was over, Krylov called for the matchup against Oezdemir. Considering where both men were in the division, the matchup made a lot of sense.
Neither man took damage in their fight so the UFC wanted to run this quickly. Krylov’s win against Gustafsson snapped a two-fight losing streak that saw him lose to Magomed Ankalaev and Paul Craig. He was dominating the Craig fight until he was caught in a triangle choke.
Overall, Krylov is 3-3 in his last six UFC fights. The losses have come against Ankalaev, Craig, and former champion Glover Teixeira. He’s hoping a win over Oezdemir will get him closer to a title shot.
UFC 280 Light Heavyweight Battle
Like Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir got back on track with a win at UFC London. He was able to defeat Paul Craig by largely avoiding the ground game of Craig and striking with him. Oezdemir had a big advantage there and you could tell.
Oezdemir won by unanimous decision which snapped a two-fight losing streak. The two losses came against current champion Jiri Prochazka and rising contender Magomed Ankalaev. Overall, he’s 3-2 in his last five.
This fight with Krylov is very big for Oezdemir who is hoping to climb the ladder for another UFC title shot. Whoever wins this fight is perhaps only a couple of wins away from contending for the belt.