Ex-UFC Title Challenger Volkan Oezdemir Receives 16-Month Suspension for EPO Doping
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir has been suspended for 16 months after testing positive for the banned substance EPO in February 2026. The 36-year-old fighter, who challenged Daniel Cormier for the title in 2018, claimed a healthcare professional from Switzerland persuaded him to use the substance under the guise of recovery from ankle surgery. Oezdemir stated he took full responsibility for his actions, calling it 'the biggest mistake of my life.' The UFC's anti-doping partner, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), delivered the positive test results to his home on March 5. EPO increases red blood cell production, enhancing endurance, and is banned in professional competition. Oezdemir had maintained a clean record prior to this failure. The case draws comparisons to former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, who was suspended for two years for EPO use.
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