UFC fighter Volkan Oezdemir was arrested this past November for his role in a physical altercation that took place outside of a Fort Lauderdale (Florida) bar this past August.
Oezdemir has been charged with felony battery with great bodily harm, which is a third degree felony. This is a downgrade from the original charges of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability, which is a second degree felony. The charges were downgraded after the state of Florida decided to pursue legal action against the UFC star.
The UFC fighter has since appeared at the Broward County 17th Judicial Circuit Court this past Tuesday and has pleaded not guilty to the charges, plus he has requested that a jury trial take place. Bruce A. Zimet, who is representing the UFC star, maintains that Oezdemir was merely defending himself during the physical altercation with Kevin Cohen, per a report from MMA Fighting.
Since the fighter has requested a jury trial, a court date has been set for Thursday, February 22.
Also, since there are no restrictions being placed against Oezdemir, a bout for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title against Daniel Cormier at UFC 220 can proceed without any legal interference.
UFC 220 takes place on Saturday, January 20 from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts with Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
