Volkan Oezdemir opens up on 16-month suspension. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir has revealed that he is serving a 16-month suspension after testing positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance erythropoietin (EPO), describing the decision to use it as “the biggest mistake of my life.”
The Swiss veteran made the announcement in a lengthy statement on Instagram explaining that the positive test stemmed from an ill-advised decision while recovering from ankle surgery following his fight in Qatar at the end of 2025. According to Oezdemir, he was contacted on Instagram by a Switzerland-based healthcare professional who initially discussed business opportunities and post-retirement plans before later recommending EPO as part of a recovery program.
“In February, I tested positive for EPO after following the recommendations of a healthcare professional,” Oezdemir wrote. “As an athlete, I am responsible for everything I put into my body. I made a mistake and I take full responsibility for it. “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. During our first meeting, he told me about his connections with influential people, investment opportunities in one of the Gulf states and potential prospects for my career after retirement from sport. He also mentioned the possibility of patronage. I was 36 years old and thinking about life after my sporting career. So I was interested.”
Oezdemir admitted that he injected the substance after being assured it was “safe and undetectable.” However, just three days later, Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) officials arrived at his home for an out-of-competition drug test. On March 5, he was informed that the sample had tested positive for EPO, a substance that increases red blood cell production and can enhance endurance and athletic performance.
“He showed me a substance that he described as safe and undetectable. He had prepared a vial of EPO. He told me not to tell anyone about it. I complied. I gave myself the first injection that same evening. That was my decision. And it was the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Three days later, the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) team came to my home to conduct an anti-doping test,” Oezdemir said. “On March 5, I was informed that my test had come back positive. In that moment, the illusion was shattered and my reality changed. But in a way, it was also a relief. “I decided to tell the UFC everything. I cooperated immediately. I did the same with CSAD. In the end, I received a 16-month suspension in light of my cooperation and the mitigating circumstances.
“I acknowledge what I did and I take full responsibility for it. Every athlete is responsible for what they put in their body. I am sharing how this happened because I needed to understand my own actions. And because what happened to me, could happen to other athletes. I let down my sport, my fans and ultimately, myself. To everyone who has supported me, my family, my loved ones and my supporters, I am deeply sorry.”
He concluded his statement by apologizing to his supporters, saying he had “let down my sport, my fans, and ultimately, myself.” Oezdemir, who challenged Daniel Cormier for the UFC light heavyweight championship in 2018, had won three of his previous four fights before the suspension. Under the terms of the sanction, he will be eligible to return to competition in June 2027.
