EXCLUSIVE: Stone-fisted Volkan Oezdemir on the three steps of his fighting career

A more fitting nickname simply doesn't exist.

Volkan Oezdemir was an unknown before the curtains of 2017 opened up and one of the hardest hitters walking the planet was introduced to the world. A 12-1 professional mixed martial arts record at the time saw the Swiss light heavyweight signed up by the UFC and, over the past seven months, he's proven exactly why they call him 'No Time'. A split decision victory over one of the best 205lbers in the world, Ovince Saint Preux, in his Octagon debut made the division sit up and take notice of Oezdemir but it was in his subsequent pair of outings that he solidified his status as a blink-and-you'll-miss-it type of fighter. Misha Cirkunov's lights were turned out in just 28 seconds in May before Jimi Manuwa, the Brit who was staking a claim for a title shot, was flatlined in 42 seconds at UFC 214. Oezdermir has got no time. "My nickname comes from a tournament I fought in in Denmark in 2012," Oezdemir said. "I had three fights in one night and all three finished in the first minute so my friend started calling me 'No Time.' "We never really made it official until my victory over Misha because I was fighting one of the best guys in the world and put him away inside thirty seconds. A lot of my fights tend to finish in the first round so it's the perfect name really. "It's not just in terms of how I end my fights though. I wasn't even in the UFC rankings at the start of this year but I've run to the top of the division in no time. "My goal is to get to that light heavyweight title as quickly as I possibly can. I've got no time and I'm backing that nickname up in the Octagon." The 27-year-old is in his athletic prime and his career goals are as ambitious as his finishes are devastating. Oezdemir has outlined exactly how he sees the next few years playing out and if he continues starching opponents in the brutal manner he's done thus far, who are we to question his potential? "I'm in the process of accomplishing my first step right now," Oezdemir said. "Getting the 205lbs title wrapped around my waist is the first step and then I want to defend it to prove that I'm a champion and leave no questions. https://www.instagram.com/p/BXnb7YVhu3j/?hl=en&taken-by=volkan_oezdemir "I've fought at heavyweight before and I'd like to do it again in the UFC. That will be the second step, going up in weight. "My third step would maybe be a crossover fight. All MMA fighters are talking about boxing nowadays after Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather. That would be an amazing opportunity for me and my background is in striking so the transition might not be as difficult." Oezdemir realised that he was able to compete with the greatest light heavyweights in the world after sparring former title challenger Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson and he's been fearless each time he's stepped through the Octagon doors. A dark cloud hangs over the division, however, as we await further updates on champion Jon Jones' failed drug test at UFC 214. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_UK/status/900228107310944256 Jones tested positive for the banned substance turinabol following an in-competition test which was conducted on the eve of his grudge rematch against Daniel Cormier and while he is being given due process by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the division doesn't really know where it stands. "We must wait to see what happens with Jones but the division is a bit messed up right now and we need to know what's happening with the belt," Oezdemir said. "If Jones is found guilty then is the belt going to go right back to Cormier? It's a delicate situation because 'DC' lost and, in my eyes, the belt should go to the guy who wins. "The UFC should put together a fight for the vacant belt if Jones is suspended. "I called out Alexander Gustafsson after UFC 214 and that's what I'm focusing on right now, getting that fight with him."