Surging Paul Craig to face Volkan Oezdemir at UFC London

Since September 2019, Paul Craig is 5-0-1. Could he be title shot bound if he gets through Volkan Oezdemir?

The name recognition on the upcoming UFC London card continues to build.

Thursday, the promotion announced the addition of a light heavyweight contenders matchup between [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (16-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) and [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 5-5 UFC) for the July 23 event at O2 Arena. The event is expected to stream on ESPN+.

Craig, 34, has been surging. Since September 2019, he has gone 5-0-1 with three submissions and two stoppages due to strikes. Most recently, Craig fought at the UFC’s London show in March, when he submitted Nikita Krylov with his signature triangle choke in Round 1.

Oezdemir, 32, will seek his first win in three outings. Coming off back-to-back losses, Oezdemir most recently competed this past October when he lost a unanimous decision to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267. Prior to that, he was knocked out by Jiri Prochazka at UFC 251 in July 2020.

With the addition, the UFC London lineup includes:

  • Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall
  • Jack Hermansson vs. Darren Till
  • Charles Johnson vs. Muhammad Mokaev
  • Alexander Gustaffson vs. Nikita Krylov
  • Hannah Goldy vs. Molly McCann
  • Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir

[vertical-gallery id=391998]

[vertical-gallery id=323751]