October 10, 2025
Kaan Ofli: The Dad, The Fighter, The Villain in Rio
When Kaan Ofli steps into the octagon in Rio de Janeiro this weekend to face Ricardo Ramos, it won’t just be another fight — it’s a defining moment for the Australian featherweight who’s chasing redemption, fatherhood, and legacy all at once.
On this week’s Australian MMA Podcast, Kaan sits down with host Mitch Tinley for one of the most open and emotional conversations ever captured on the show. From the noise of 20,000 Brazilians to the silence of a newborn’s nursery back home in Melbourne, it’s a chat that reminds us why Australian MMA is more than just a sport — it’s a story of grit, growth, and heart.
From The Ultimate Fighter to the Ultimate Test
Few Australian fighters have gone as far on The Ultimate Fighter as Kaan Ofli. He made history for our country on that show — and yet, as he admits, the climb to the UFC spotlight has been anything but smooth.
Coming off two tough bouts, Ofli knows exactly what’s at stake. His opponent, Ricardo Ramos, is no easy assignment. The Brazilian is known for wild spinning elbows and black-belt-level grappling — and he’s fighting at home in Rio.
Fighting for Something Bigger
Behind that fierce energy is a very different kind of motivation. Just 12 days before flying to Brazil, Kaan and his wife welcomed their first child — a baby boy.
“He’s given me so much purpose,” Kaan shares. “So much love, so much peace. Whatever happens in this sport, it doesn’t matter… but it does. He’s my motivation. If someone’s trying to take food off my family’s table, I’m not letting that happen.”
It’s a raw, unfiltered look at the man behind the fighter — one that shows how fatherhood has sharpened rather than softened him.
“I’ve always been the type to bottle things up,” he admits. “For years I just carried it all. It’s only in the last five years that I started opening up. And that’s part of growing, as a man and as a fighter.”
Mental Battles and Melbourne Roots
In the podcast, Ofli opens up about his struggles with mindset — particularly after his first professional loss in eight years.
“I thought I was fine, but subconsciously I was scared to pull the trigger. That’s not me anymore. This time, I’m free.”
He credits much of that growth to the people around him — his coaches, his wife, and his teammates at Absolute MMA and The Ring Gym in Melbourne.
“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices, taken wrong turns, and learned from all of it,” he says. “But Melbourne is home. That’s where I’ve built who I am.”
The Aussie Brotherhood
There’s also a powerful sense of unity among the Australian and New Zealand fighters making waves internationally. Ofli says that once you make it to the UFC, it’s no longer about rivalry — it’s about representing the region together. That includes close friend and training partner Jack Jenkins, who he helped prepare for his recent comeback fight. Vulnerability and Violence Can Coexist
In one of the podcast’s most powerful moments, Kaan and Mitch discuss mental health — a topic often avoided in combat sports.
“The old-school way of bottling things up is wrong,” Kaan says. “Even the best — like Izzy [Isreal Adesanya] — work with psychologists. It’s not weakness; it’s how you perform at your best.”
It’s a reminder that fighters aren’t robots. They’re men and women carrying real stories, real trauma, and real hope into the cage.
“I want young fighters to know it’s okay to talk,” he says. “It’s okay to feel things. That’s how you grow.”
Prediction: “I’m Finishing Ricardo Ramos”
As the chat wraps up, Kaan doesn’t flinch when asked for a prediction.
“I believe I’ll finish Ricardo Ramos. Wherever the fight goes — standing or on the ground — I’m the more complete fighter.”
It’s that mix of calm confidence and controlled rage that makes him such a compelling figure in Australian MMA — a warrior with a conscience, a dad with a mission.
Where and When to Watch
Kaan Ofli vs Ricardo Ramos goes down Sunday morning, October 12 (AEST) — part of UFC Rio, headlined by Charles Oliveira vs Mateusz Gamrot.
Stream it live on UFC Fight Pass.
Listen to the Full Conversation
🎧 Australian MMA Podcast – Kaan Ofli Episode
Available on:
Follow @aussie_mma on Instagram for clips, highlights, and future guest drops.
Support thanks to VEX MMA, DCA, and Combat Sports Insurance.
Final Word
Australian MMA is built on stories like this — fighters who wear the flag, take the risks, and speak their truth.
This chat with Kaan Ofli isn’t just another fight preview — it’s a reminder of the humanity behind the chaos.
“I’m not just fighting for myself anymore,” Kaan says. “I’m fighting for my family.”
