Unfortunately for the short-handed Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight division, Jan Blachowicz has been forced out of his UFC Fight Night 104 scrap opposite Ovince Saint Preux on Feb 4. from Houston, Texas, per a recent report by the promotion. Luckily enough, OSP will be able to stick on the Super Bowl weekend card after Octagon newcomer Volkan Oezdemir decided to accept the short-notice filler.
Oezdemir, 27, is a powerful knockout artist who has finished 10 out of his 12 career wins within the first round. The man known as "Cousin" went 1-1 under Bellator MMA rule and has gone 2-0 on the open circuit since leaving the promotion in 2014. He's truly a wildcard for a risk-taking fighter like Saint Preux and a guy that could have an immediate impact on the division if his power finds a home. He'll also become the first native of Switzerland to compete in UFC.
As for OSP, who is coming off a crushing loss to Jimi Manuwa back at UFC 204, this is a huge opportunity to get back into the win column and make 2017 a year to remember. Whether it's Blachowicz or Oezdemir, it doesn't really matter. The former title challenger must win in fashion and prove that he's still capable of evolving at 33 years of age.
UFC Fight Night 104 will be headlined by the return of the "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung as he takes on featherweight staple Dennis Bermudez.
For more on the Super Bowl weekend card click here.