Light heavyweights Volkan Oezdemir, Azamat Murzakanov booked for UFC Paris

Azamat Murzakanov will look to crack the UFC light heavyweight top 10 when he takes on a perennial contender.

Murzakanov (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) meets Volkan Oezdemir (18-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC) at a UFC Fight Night event Sept. 2 from Accor Arena in Paris, promotion officials announced Wednesday.

Incoming Bout!@Volkan_Oezdemir vs Azamat Murzakanov added to #UFCParis!

https://t.co/QsbtnZHI06 pic.twitter.com/iKwRnLJSJO

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 21, 2023

Undefeated in his professional career, Murzakanov has knocked out four of his past five opponents. The 34-year-old most recently defeated Dustin Jacoby by unanimous decision in April at UFC on ESPN 44.

Former title challenger Oezdemir has lost three of his past four to top-ranked light heavyweights, including former champion Jiri Prochazka. His lone win in that stretch came last July over Paul Craig, who was unbeaten in his previous six fights going into their bout.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup includes:

• Ciryl Gane vs. Serghei Spivac
• Nora Cornolle vs. Joselyne Edwards
• Hailey Cowan vs. Zarah Fairn
• Azamat Murzakanov vs. Volkan Oezdemir