Daniel Cormier vs Volkan Oezdemir Official For UFC 220 In Boston

The first UFC title fight in 2018 has ben set and it will see UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier taking on Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 220 on Jan. 20 in Boston.

Cormier was reinstated as the 205-pounds champion less than four weeks after he lost the title to Jon Jones at UFC 214 after Jones was cited by USADA for the second time in his career for a positive anti-doping test. Cormier was defeated by the Jones in the third round of their contest in Anaheim, but the result was later overturned to a no contest due to Jones’ failed test.

Prior to his rematch with Jones, Cormier had won the title back in May 2015 when he defeated Anthony “Rumble” Johnson for the vacated title at UFC 187. Cormier then went on to defend the title twice against Alexander Gustafsson and then Johnson again. He also defeated Anderson Silva at UFC 200 when the Brazilian stepped up on short notice to fight him after Jones failed his first USADA doping test.

Cormier’s challenger on Jan. 20 will be a man he has never faced before in the Octagon. Oezdemir has an in incredible rise through the 205-pounds division and only debuted last February when he defeated Ovince Saint Preux at UFC Fight Night 104. The Swiss fighter then went on to defeat Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa via first round knockout, and in doing so, he positioned himself right at the top of the division.

With Gustafsson out injured, Oezdemir was the only other viable option for Cormier to face and despite the news of him being arrested in a bar brawl that surfaced last week, the Swiss fighter will get the opportunity of a lifetime to take home the UFC light heavyweight title at the TD Garden in Boston.