Alexander Gustafsson faces Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 227

A. Gustafsson hasn't fought since May 2017 when he beat G. Teixeira at UFC Estocomo. Photo: Boris Streubel/UFC

The light heavyweight title challenger, Alexander Gustafson was looking for an opponent for UFC 227 on August 04th. The search appears to have come to a surprising end, Volkan oezdemir will be 'The Mauler's' opponent at UFC 227 on August 04th in Los Angeles.

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Initially it was expected that the candidate would be the former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, at the Los Angeles event. 'Skyler' injured his leg and needed surgery.

ESPN reporter Brett Okamoto was the first to publicize the fight through his Twitter:  Alexander Gustafson (@alexthemauler) and Volkan oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) have verbally agreed to reunite at UFC 227 on Aug. 4 in Los Angeles, multiple sources said. The UFC has been working on a fight for Gustafsson on that card for some time and has finally pulled it off.

BREAKING: Alexander Gustafson (@AlexTheMauler) and Volkan oezdemir (@volkan_oezdemir) have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 227 on Aug. 4 in Los Angeles, multiple sources say. UFC has been working on a fight for Gustafsson on that card for a while, finally got one done.

- Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) 2 July 2018

Volkan oezdemir was scheduled to face Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua on July 22 in Germany, but the UFC opted to move him to UFC 227 against Alexander Gustafson. UFC currently working on a replacement to face Shogun.

- Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) 2 July 2018

Volkan oezdemir was scheduled to face Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua on July 22 in Germany, but Ultimate chose to move him to UFC 227 against Alexander Gustafson. Ultimate is currently working on a replacement to face Shogun.

The question at the moment is whether or not Gustafsson's next fight will be for the interim light heavyweight title. The reason is due to the current champion, Daniel Cormier can hold two belts if he wins Stipe Miocic next Saturday at UFC 226.