UFC light-heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir has announced that he injected the banned steroid EPO (Erythropoietin) and is now facing a 16-month ban. This announcement came via his Instagram, where he expressed remorse for his actions.

In his statement, Oezdemir, 36, admitted to testing positive for EPO in February after consulting a healthcare professional. He stated:

"I made a mistake, and I take full responsibility for it."

Oezdemir's journey into this controversy began after he competed in Qatar at the end of 2025. Following this event, he was approached by a healthcare professional in Switzerland who promised various opportunities and eventually presented him with a plan to enhance his recovery from ankle surgery.

During their discussions, the professional introduced Oezdemir to EPO, claiming it was safe and undetectable. Oezdemir recounted:

"I gave myself the first injection that same evening. That was my decision. And it was the biggest mistake of my life."

Just three days later, he was subjected to an anti-doping test by the Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) team, which resulted in a positive test on March 5. Oezdemir cooperated fully with the UFC and CSAD, leading to his 16-month suspension, which took into account his cooperation and the circumstances surrounding his decision.

He expressed deep regret, stating:

"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."

Oezdemir's last fight resulted in a first-round stoppage of Alonzo Menifield in November, bringing his professional record to 21-8. He previously held a record of 15-1 prior to his title fight against Daniel Cormier in 2018, where he was unsuccessful. The Independent has reached out to CSAD and the UFC for further comments on the matter.