Volkan Oezdemir Says He Wasn’t True to Himself at UFC Fight Night 138

Volkan Oezdemir spoke with press following his loss to Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night 138. Highlights are below:

On his injuries during training camp: “I broke my nose twice during the fight camp, and I guess I wasn’t ready for a fight, for a real blow. I felt confident. I felt good. I felt I won the first two rounds. The third round was going really well, but as soon as he took me down and started for the choke, I also felt some blood coming out in my throat, and he made me give up the fight, make me choke.”

On his and Smith’s performance: “His nickname is ‘Lionheart,’ so I knew he would be surviving and feeling more powerful as long as the fight goes. That’s a little bit how he fights. That’s something I was getting ready for, and that’s why I wanted to pace myself in the fight. I wasn’t true to myself, because as soon as I felt the connection, I didn’t want to go for the finish.”

On his plan from here: “Now that we are coming off a loss, I’m going to have to figure out my next plan.”