Umut Ozturk Wins Second MSPT Main Event of 2026 for Career-High $280,290

Just months after his mother passed away, an emotional Umut Ozturk returned to Michigan’s Firekeepers Casino to chase his third career MSPT Main Event title. Despite a massive 2,442-entry field that created a $2,367,240 prize pool, more than double the advertised guarantee, the MSPT Hall of Famer returned to the mountaintop.

The Minnesota lawyer captured his second MSPT Main Event title of the year and a career-high $280,290 to take his career earnings to just under $1.9 million. While many competitors build their foundational skills grinding online poker on virtual felts before transitioning to major live circuits, Ozturk proved his mastery live on the felt once again. Back in February, Ozturk won the Main Event at the Ohio State Poker Championship for $89,638. He also won the Mini Main Event at the MSPT Wisconsin Poker State Championship in September for $48,810.

“Last time I was here in May, my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, so I had to leave and go back home,” Ozturk told the MSPT. “She passed away a couple of months later, and I told myself, when I come back to Michigan, I was going to ship it.

“Even though she wasn’t here with me physically, I felt her the entire weekend, so this one is dedicated to my mother.”

Ozturk chopped the winnings with Greg Wiggins, but claimed the trophy and title with a slight chip lead.

Other big names to run deep include 2023 WPT World Championship winner Dan Sepiol (4th), two-time WSOP bracelet winner Scott Bohlman (6th), and recent Borgata Big, Big Championship runner-up Frank Lagodich (7th).

With the win, Ozturk also became the MSPT’s all-time money list leader, leapfrogging Josh Reichard, Rob WazWaz, and Kou Vang. He’s also fifth on the Season 17 leaderboard, second on the MSPT “GOAT Ranking”, and second in career Main Event Top 10 finishes with 19.

MSPT Spade Poker Championship Final Table Results