Dana White: Volkan Oezdemir likely to still fight Daniel Cormier for UFC title despite legal trouble

Volkan Oezdemir currently finds himself in hot water with Florida authorities, but it’s unlikely to affect his title-shot opportunity against UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.

Oezdemir was arrested earlier this month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and charged with aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability as the result of  bar room altercation that took place Aug. 12. The charge carries a maximum 15-year sentence.

According to UFC President Dana White, the case against Oezdemir likely won’t have any bearing on Oezdemir’s immediate fighting future.

“He’s probably still gonna fight, yeah,” White said Tuesday during a media luncheon at UFC headquarters in Las Vegas.

The title fight between Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and Oezdemir (15-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has been in the works for weeks, with a target date of Jan. 20 at UFC 220 in Boston. Cormier has said last week he “will go to the next guy” if Oezdemir’s legal woes scrap the plans, though White’s statement is a strong indicator that won’t be the case.

Oezdemir’s manager, Frederic Englund, has said his client was “not the aggressor.” Oezdemir’s alleged victim, Kevin Cohen, claims he was knocked out unconscious after being punched by Oezdemir outside a bar called Capone’s.

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.