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Nicolas Atkin

Volkan Oezdemir thinks UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will have too much for Dominick Reyes when the two meet in February.
Jones (25-1, 1 no contest) will defend his title against “The Devastator” in Houston, but former contender Oezdemir doesn’t see any way Reyes (12-0) can trouble the champion.
“I think Reyes will come into the fight a little bit too one dimensional,” Oezdemir said at Thursday’s UFC Fight Night Busan media day. “I think he needs more to surprise Jon Jones.
“He’s a great athlete. He’s a really agile guy – I’m not gonna say a strong guy because I don’t believe he is. But he moves well.


“He’s using his stance really good, and I think that’s a good point with him because he’s a lot on the back pedal like a counter puncher seizing the opportunities.
“But I think it’s not gonna be enough for Jon Jones, who I think is gonna end up the winner of the fight.”
UFC: Overeem says ‘I’m pretty again’ after horrific lip injury
Oezdemir (16-4) of course is on his own mission back to the top end of the rankings. The Swiss was riding high before a loss to then-champion Daniel Cormier in January 2018 started a three-fight losing skid.
He got back in the winner’s circle by stopping Ilir Latifi in August, and looks to continue regaining momentum in Korea when he fights rising star Aleksandar Rakic (12-1) on Saturday.
“The three-fight losing streak didn’t really affect me,” he said. “One was against one of the greatest of all time, Daniel Cormier. Then it was also a good start for me against Anthony Smith, and then I had a split decision where I really questioned the judges [against Reyes].

“I always stay strong training, stay in my lane, improve myself and try to be the better fighter, the best version of myself. The only thing I did was stay positive and keep doing my job. This is how I know I will get the victory again.”
Austria’s Rakic has an impressive resume – he is undefeated in 12 fights, four in the UFC, since losing his first professional bout in 2011.
“He hasn’t faced anybody in the top 10. When you start going into the top 10 in the UFC, it’s different beasts,” Oezdemir said.


“His best win was against [Jimi] Manuwa who was ranked No 11 at the time, and also on a three-fight losing streak with heavy knockouts, so not the best place to be.
“Though also it’s a big win because Manuwa is big name and a really strong guy, so credit to him of course. But it’s not best time to be fighting for Manuwa, also, he’s getting old.
“Now he’s facing top 10 and the rest of the division. I’m here to show I’ve cemented my place in the top 10 and I deserve to be here.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC: Volkan Oezdemir says Dominick Reyes too ‘one dimensional’ to beat Jon Jones

Jon Jones celebrates after defeating Anthony Smith at UFC 235. Photo: AFP

Volkan Oezdemir speaks at UFC Fight Night Busan media day.

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Marlon Moraes hits Jose Aldo at UFC 245. Photo: AP

UFC: Alistair Overeem says ‘I’m pretty again’ after surgery for gruesome lip injury

Alistair Overeem at the UFC Fight Night Busan media day in South Korea. Photo: Nicolas Atkin

Dec 7, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; (Editors note: graphic injury) Alistair Overeem (red gloves) is tended to after an injury to his lip after his loss Jairzinho Rozenstruik (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 7, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; (Editors note: graphic injury) Alistair Overeem (red gloves) after his loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Jairzinho Rozenstruik KOs Alistair Overeem, busts his lip wide open with four seconds left

Alistair Overeem is tended to after an injury to his lip following his loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik during UFC Fight Night at Capital One Arena. Photos: USA TODAY Sports

Dec 7, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; Jairzinho Rozenstruik (blue gloves) celebrates with his coaches after his win against Alistair Overeem (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

UFC: Dana White confirms Jon Jones vs Dominick Reyes for February 8 card in Houston

Jon Jones will fight Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. Photo: AFP

Dominick Reyes celebrates his victory over Chris Weldman in a light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

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Oezdemir thinks Reyes ‘needs more to surprise’ light heavyweight champion Jones at UFC 247
‘He’s agile but I don’t believe he’s a strong guy … it’s not gonna be enough’



Volkan Oezdemir thinks Dominick Reyes needs more to surprise Jon Jones at UFC 247 – ‘he’s agile but I don’t believe he’s a strong guy … it’s not gonna be enough’.


Jon Jones

UFC: Volkan Oezdemir says Dominick Reyes too ‘one dimensional’ to beat Jon Jones

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Oezdemir thinks Reyes ‘needs more to surprise’ light heavyweight champion Jones at UFC 247 ‘He’s agile but I don’t believe he’s a strong guy … it’s not gonna be enough’

Oezdemir thinks Reyes ‘needs more to surprise’ light heavyweight champion Jones at UFC 247

‘He’s agile but I don’t believe he’s a strong guy … it’s not gonna be enough’