Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir has been suspended 16 months after testing positive for EPO under the UFC’s Combat Sports Anti-Doping program.
Oezdemir tested positive following his most recent appearance, a November knockout win over Alonzo Menifield, and later acknowledged that he used EPO on the recommendation of a healthcare professional while accepting responsibility for the violation.
"That was my decision," Oezdemir said, calling it "the biggest mistake of my life. ... 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."
The UFC consulted the World Anti-Doping Agency following the positive test, and WADA in turn notified Swiss authorities, who interviewed Oezdemir as part of the process.
Reflecting on how he arrived at the decision, Oezdemir said, "My independence has always been one of my strengths," adding, "I left home at a young age to live abroad. I built my career far from my family. I moved from country to country to pursue my sport. I got used to dealing with problems on my own. But this time, it became a weakness."
"Today, I want to say to every athlete — especially those competing in individual sports — that isolation is a risk. I acknowledge what I did, and I take full responsibility for it. Every athlete is responsible for what they put into their body," he continued, later adding, "I let down my sport, my fans, and ultimately, myself."
