35 Facts About Ibo Aslan

Ibo Aslan: The Last Ottoman

Ibo Aslan, known as "The Last Ottoman," is a rising star in the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Born in Turkey, he has made a significant impact in the light heavyweight division. Let's explore some fascinating facts about this talented fighter.

1. Nationality and Ethnicity
   Ibo Aslan is the first fighter in UFC history from Turkey, earning him the nickname "Turkish Power." His roots play a crucial role in his journey, as he aims to inspire future fighters from his homeland.

2. Early Life and Training
   Aslan began his MMA journey in his teenage years. Before focusing on MMA, he explored sports like soccer and boxing. At 18, he switched from boxing to MMA, drawn by its individualistic nature.

3. Career Beginnings
   He started his professional MMA career in the Austrian Fight Challenge in 2016. His impressive performances quickly earned him a spot in the Dana White Contender Series (DWCS) Season 7.

4. Debut in DWCS
   Aslan's debut in DWCS was a pivotal moment. He defeated his opponent, showcasing his skills and earning a UFC contract.

5. UFC Debut
   He made his UFC debut on ESPN, knocking out Anton Turkalj at 1:32 of the third round. This victory marked the start of his journey in the prestigious organization.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Ibo Aslan's career is filled with remarkable achievements and milestones. His dedication and hard work have earned him a place among the top fighters in the UFC.

6. Career Record
   As of 2024, Ibo Aslan boasts a record of 13 wins and 1 loss in the UFC. His overall MMA record includes 14 wins and 1 loss, with 11 first-round finishes.

7. Notable Wins
   Aslan has secured victories at the WFMC World Championship and the AFC Austrian Championship. His performances, including a third-round TKO over Anton Turkalj at UFC on ESPN 54, have been impressive.

8. Losses
   His only UFC loss was against Anton Turkalj outside the organization. However, he avenged this loss with a third-round TKO over Turkalj in the UFC.

9. Training and Gyms
   Aslan has trained at various gyms worldwide, including Top Team Zagreb and Tiger Muay Thai. This diverse training has helped him incorporate different fighting styles into his arsenal.

10. Inspiration
    He considers Gokhan Saki, a renowned Turkish-Dutch kickboxer and MMA fighter, as his inspiration. Aslan aims to follow in Saki's footsteps and become the first Turkish-born UFC champion.

Personal Life and Influences

Beyond the octagon, Ibo Aslan's personal life and influences have shaped his career and aspirations. His family and mentors play a significant role in his journey.

11. Father’s Influence
    Aslan’s father has been a significant influence on his career. The father-son bond is highlighted in Aslan’s Instagram posts, where his father is often seen by his side. Aslan has expressed his gratitude for his father’s support, stating, “A father’s presence can’t be replaced.”

12. UFC 308: Cerqueira vs. Aslan
    Aslan is set to face Raffael Cerqueira at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This fight will be a crucial test for Aslan as he aims to extend his winning streak to three victories in the promotion.

13. Cardio Issues
    In one of his previous fights, Aslan faced issues with his cardio, which led to a longer-than-expected bout. He has been fine-tuning his conditioning to improve his performance in future fights.

14. Approach to Fighting
    Aslan’s approach to fighting generally consists of one idea: to finish the fight quickly. He has a high finish rate, with 11 first-round finishes in his career.

15. Odds and Predictions
    The odds for the fight between Aslan and Cerqueira are Aslan (-108) and Cerqueira (-112). The prediction for this fight is expected to be a close and exciting bout, with both fighters looking to secure a victory.

Upcoming Challenges and Future Prospects

Aslan's future in the UFC looks promising. With his impressive record and growing popularity, he is poised to become a significant player in the light heavyweight division.

16. UFC 308 Lineup
    UFC 308 promises an exciting lineup filled with thrilling matchups. The event will feature contests across various divisions, including one Heavyweight fight, two Light Heavyweight bouts, four Middleweight clashes, two Welterweight matches, one Lightweight fight, two Featherweight contests, and one Bantamweight bout.

17. Main Event Experience
    For Ilia Topuria, UFC 308 will be his third consecutive main event. Meanwhile, Max Holloway will be headlining a UFC event for the 11th time. Holloway brings experience to the octagon with ten title fights under his belt.

18. Veteran of Title Fights
    Holloway’s experience in title fights is unmatched. He has competed in ten title fights, showcasing his resilience and skill in the octagon.

19. Chimaev’s Return
    Khamzat Chimaev is making his long-awaited return to the octagon after a series of illnesses and setbacks. His last fight was at UFC 294, where he triumphed over Kamaru Usman. Chimaev is set to face Robert Whittaker in the co-main event of UFC 308.

20. Rescheduled Fight
    Chimaev and Whittaker were initially scheduled to meet in the main event of UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia earlier this summer. However, Chimaev withdrew shortly before the fight, allowing Whittaker to secure a knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov. Now, they are finally set to clash in a five-round match.

21. Five-Round Co-Main Event
    The co-main event between Chimaev and Whittaker will be a five-round match, a fitting format considering the stakes involved. This fight could potentially determine a shot at the Middleweight title.

22. Ige’s Tough Matchup
    Dan Ige has been matched against the undefeated Lerone Murphy. Earlier this year, Ige earned recognition for stepping in on short notice to face Diego Lopes, where he put up a competitive fight despite the loss. UFC CEO Dana White praised his bravery.

23. Rising Star Returns
    Sharabutdin Magomedov, known as the one-eyed Russian fighter, will kick off the PPV main card. He is currently 3-0 in the UFC but faces his most challenging opponent yet in kickboxing champion Armen Petrosyan.

24. UFC Debuts
    Two fighters will be making their UFC debuts this weekend. Raffael Cerqueira, who boasts an undefeated record of 11-0, will face Ibo Aslan. Cerqueira was originally slated to compete in the eighth season of the Contender Series but was called up to UFC 308 instead, holding an impressive 91% finish rate with eight knockouts.

25. Dos Anjos Moves Up
    Former UFC Lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos returns to the octagon, having decided to move up to Welterweight permanently after previously cutting to 155 pounds. He plans to compete in four more fights, which will conclude his current contract, and will face knockout artist Geoff Neal on his birthday.

26. Long-Awaited Comeback
    Fan-favorite Heavyweight Chris Barnett is back in action after a 25-month hiatus due to injuries and personal challenges. He last fought at UFC 279 against Jake Collier and will welcome former Light Heavyweight contender Kennedy Nzechukwu to the Heavyweight division.

27. Weigh-In Drama
    In a pre-fight twist, the third bout on the preliminaries between Faird Basharat and Victor Hugo was originally set for Bantamweight. However, Hugo weighed in 10 pounds over, leading to a last-minute change to a Featherweight contest.

28. UFC 308 Fight Records
    Among the fighters competing at UFC 308, Rafael Dos Anjos holds the record for the most career fights with 48. Raffael Cerqueira has the fewest with just 11. Abus Magomedov leads the event with 14 career knockouts, while Dos Anjos also has the most submissions at 11.

29. Fight Outcomes
    Out of the fighters competing, 18 are coming off victories, while seven are entering the octagon following losses. This mix of momentum and challenges adds to the excitement of the event.

30. Divisional Showdown
    The card will feature contests across various divisions, including one Heavyweight fight, two Light Heavyweight bouts, four Middleweight clashes, two Welterweight matches, one Lightweight fight, two Featherweight contests, and one Bantamweight bout. This diversity ensures that fans will witness a range of styles and strategies.

31. Underdog Status
    According to Fan Duel, the biggest underdog at UFC 308 is Chris Barnett, with odds of +500. This underdog status adds an element of unpredictability to the event, making it more thrilling for spectators.

32. Career Milestones
    Aslan has achieved several career milestones, including becoming the WFMC champion by defeating Ivan Vicic in 2019 with a knockout in the first round. His victories have been marked by impressive performances, showcasing his growth and skill in the sport.

33. Father’s Sacrifice
    Aslan’s father has been instrumental in his success. The father-son bond is highlighted in Aslan’s Instagram posts, where his father is often seen by his side. Aslan has expressed his gratitude for his father’s support, stating, “A father’s sacrifice is the foundation of a child’s success.”

34. Inspiring Future Generations
    Aslan aims to inspire a new generation of fighters from Turkey. He wants to put his country on the map and become the first Turkish-born UFC champion. This ambition is driven by his desire to make a positive impact on the MMA landscape in Turkey.

35. Future Prospects
    Aslan’s future prospects in the UFC are promising. With his impressive record and growing popularity, he is poised to become a significant player in the light heavyweight division. His upcoming fight against Raffael Cerqueira will be a crucial test of his skills and determination.

The Future Looks Bright for Ibo Aslan

Ibo Aslan, known as "The Last Ottoman," is making waves in the MMA world. With roots in Turkey, he's not just fighting for himself but for a whole new generation of Turkish fighters. His journey from the Austrian Fight Challenge to the UFC is nothing short of inspiring. Aslan's impressive record of 14 wins, with 11 first-round finishes, speaks volumes about his skill and determination. Training at top gyms like Top Team Zagreb and Tiger Muay Thai has added depth to his fighting style. His upcoming fight against Raffael Cerqueira at UFC 308 is a crucial test. Aslan's ambition to become the first Turkish-born UFC champion is clear. With his father's unwavering support and his own relentless drive, Aslan's future in the light heavyweight division looks promising. Fans are eager to see what he achieves next.